Comparison of CT and MR imaging for the detection of extranodal neoplastic spread in metastatic neck nodes

Positron Emission Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a New Hybrid Imaging Modality for Dentomaxillofacial Malignancies-A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Emerging hybrid imaging modalities, like Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) and Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI), are useful for assessing head and neck cancer (HNC) and its prognosis during follow-up. PET/MRI systems enable simultaneous PET and MRI scans within a single session. These combined PET/MRI scanners merge MRI's better soft tissue contrast and the molecular metabolic information offered by PET. Aim: To review scientific articles on the use of hybrid PET/MRI techniques in diagnosing dentomaxillofacial malignancies. Method: The available literature on the use of PET/MRI for the diagnosis of dentomaxillofacial malignancies in four online databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) was searched. Eligible for this review were original full-text articles on PET/MRI imaging, published between January 2010 and November 2024, based on experimental or clinical research involving humans. Results: Out of the 783 articles retrieved, only twelve articles were included in this systematic review. Nearly half of the articles (5 out of 12) concluded that PET/MRI is superior to PET, MRI, and PET/CT imaging in relation to defining malignancies' size. Six articles found no statistically significant results and the diagnostic accuracy presented was similar in PET/MRI versus MRI and PET/CT images. Regarding the overall risk of bias, most articles had a moderate risk. Conclusions: The use of PET/MRI in HNC cases provides a more accurate diagnosis regarding dimensions of the tumor and thus a more accurate surgical approach if needed. Further prospective studies on a larger cohort of patients are required to obtain more accurate results on the application of hybrid PET/MRI.

Nodal assessment and extranodal extension in head and neck squamous cell cancer: insights from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concordance between computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological examination in the evaluation of lymph nodal involvement (N+) and extranodal extension (ENE+) in patients with squamous cell cancer of the head-neck district (HNSCC). The second end point was to evaluate which of the imaging features was more sensitive and specific in establishing N+ and ENE+, and comparing the diagnostic accuracy between CT and MRI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

58 patients with HNSCC undergoing surgical treatment with lymph node dissection at the Policlinico of Bari were enrolled in this retrospective study. The criteria used for identifying radiological N+ (rN+) included six characteristics; the presence of any two or more criteria out of these six was considered rN+. For each rN+, the radiological extranodal extension (rENE+) was evaluated analyzing three characteristics; rENE was considered positive if any one criterion was present.

RESULTS

Of 167 lymph nodes, 45/167 (27%) had rN+, out of which 20/45 (44%) were rENE+. On pathological examination, 38/45 (84%) nodes were N+ and 11/20 (55%) were ENE+. The agreement between imaging and histology in the evaluation of N was (149/167) 89% with a good concordance (k = 0.7). The agreement between imaging and histology in the evaluation of ENE was (35/45) 78% with a moderate concordance (k = 0.5). Loss of fatty hilum was found to be the most sensitive (84%) imaging finding in N+ evaluation. Capsular irregularity with fat stranding had the highest sensitivity (82%) for the determination of ENE+. Comparing CT and MRI imaging in the evaluation of N+ and ENE+, we found no statistically significant differences (p-value of 0.3 for N+ and p-value of 0.3 for ENE +).

CONCLUSIONS

Imaging has good confidence in detecting rN+ but modest in assessing rENE+. Further research could improve the imaging specificity for the determination of rENE.

The prognostic implications of radiologic extranodal extension in the lymph nodes of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer

Objective: This study was developed to explore the prognostic relevance of radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) in lymph node-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.Materials and methods: A retrospective review of data from 249 eligible patients with NPC was performed, with magnetic resonance imaging scans being used for rENE grading. The prognostic value of rENE was assessed through univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: Log-rank tests revealed significant differences between patients with and without rENE in terms of overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). G2 and G3 patients tended to exhibit worse PFS and DMFS relative to G0/G1 patients (p < 0.05). Long-term chemotherapy cycles were associated with significant improvements in the PFS and DMFS of G2 and G3 patients.Conclusion: These results suggest that higher rENE grades (G2/G3) are independently associated with worse survival outcomes among NPC patients, with more aggressive treatment strategies potentially affording greater prognostic benefits to these individuals.

Significance of radiologic extranodal extension in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis: a comprehensive nomogram

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the significance of rENE and creat a predictive tool (nomogram) for estimating Overall Survival (OS) in locoregionally advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) patients with Lymph Node Metastasis (LNM) based on their clinical characteristics and Radiologic Extranodal Extension (rENE).

METHODS

Five hundred and sixty-nine NPC patients with LNM were randomly divided into training and validation groups. Significant factors were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses in the training cohort. Then, the nomogram based on the screening results was established to predict the Overall Survival (OS). Calibration curves and the Concordance index (C-index) gauged predictive accuracy and discrimination. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis assessed risk stratification, and clinical utility was measured using Decision Curve Analysis (DCA). The nomogram's performance was validated for discrimination and calibration in an independent validation cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 360 (63.2%) patients were present with radiologic extranodal extension at initial diagnosis. Patients with rENE had significantly lower OS than other patients. Multivariate analysis identified the five factors, including rENE, for the nomogram model. The C-index was 0.75 (0.71-0.78) in the training cohort and 0.76 (0.69-0.83) in the validation cohort. Notably, the nomogram outperformed the 8th TNM staging system, as evident from the higher AUC values (0.77 vs. 0.60 for 2year and 0.75 vs. 0.65 for 3year) and well-calibrated calibration curves. Decision curve analysis indicated improved Net Benefit (NB) with the nomogram for predicting OS. The log-rank test confirmed significant survival distinctions between risk groups in both training and validation cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the prognostic value of rENE in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and developed a nomogram based on rENE and other factors to provide individual prediction of OS for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Radiologic extranodal extension for nodal staging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

Extranodal extension (ENE) has the potential to add value to the current nodal staging system (N8th) for predicting outcome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to incorporate ENE, as well as cervical nodal necrosis (CNN) to the current stage N3 and evaluated their impact on outcome prediction. The findings were validated on an external cohort.

METHODS & MATERIALS

Pre-treatment MRI of 750 patients from the internal cohort were retrospectively reviewed. Predictive values of six modified nodal staging systems that incorporated four patterns of ENE and two patterns of CNN to the current stage N3 for disease-free survival (DFS) were compared with that of N8th using multivariate cox-regression and concordance statistics in the internal cohort. Performance of stage N3 for predicting disease recurrence was calculated. An external cohort of 179 patients was used to validate the findings.

RESULTS

Incorporation of advanced ENE, which infiltrates into adjacent muscle/skin/salivary glands outperformed the other five modifications for predicting outcomes (p < 0.01) and achieved a significantly higher c-index for 5-year DFS (0.69 vs 0.72) (p < 0.01) when compared with that of N8th staging system. By adding advanced ENE to the current N3 increased the sensitivity for predicting disease recurrence from 22.4 % to 47.1 %. The finding was validated in the external cohort (5-year DFS 0.65 vs. 0.72, p < 0.01; sensitivity of stage N3 increased from 14.0 % to 41.9 % for disease recurrence).

CONCLUSION

Results from two centre cohorts confirmed that the radiological advanced ENE should be considered as a criterion for stage N3 disease in NPC.

Imaging Characteristics Predictive of Cervical Extranodal Tumor Extension in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the study were to determine the predictive imaging findings of extranodal extension (ENE) in metastatic cervical lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and to investigate the interobserver agreement among radiologists with different experience levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with cervical lymph node dissection and who had metastatic lymph nodes and preoperative imaging were included. Three radiologists evaluated nodal necrosis, irregular contour, gross invasion, and perinodal fat stranding. They also noted their overall impression regarding the presence of the ENE. Sensitivity, specificity, odds ratios based on logistic regression, and interobserver agreement of ENE status were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 106 lymph nodes (that met inclusion criteria), 31 had radiologically determined ENE. On pathologic examination, 22 of 31 nodes were positive for ENE. The increasing number of metastatic lymph nodes was associated with the presence of the ENE ( P = 0.010). Irregular contour had the highest sensitivity (78.6%) and gross invasion had the highest specificity (96%) for the determination of the ENE. The radiologists' impression regarding the presence of the pathlogical ENE had 39.3% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Metastatic lymph nodes with a perinodal fat stranding and with the longest diameter of greater than 2 cm were found to be strong predictors of the ENE. The gross invasion demonstrated the highest κ value (0.731) among the evaluated imaging criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

In the assessment of ENE, the gross invasion had the highest specificity among imaging features and showed the highest interobserver agreement. Perinodal fat stranding and the longest diameter of greater than 2 cm in a metastatic lymph node were the best predictors of the ENE.

Free-Breathing StarVIBE Sequence for the Detection of Extranodal Extension in Head and Neck Cancer: An Image Quality and Diagnostic Performance Study

(1) Background: This study aims to evaluate the image quality of abnormal cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancer and the diagnostic performance of detecting extranodal extension (ENE) using free-breathing StarVIBE. (2) Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 80 consecutive head and neck cancer patients underwent StarVIBE before neck dissection at an academic center. Image quality was compared with conventional VIBE available for 28 of these patients. A total of 73 suspicious metastatic lymph nodes from 40 patients were found based on morphology and enhancement pattern on StarVIBE. Sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), and odds ratios were calculated for each MR feature from StarVIBE to predict pathologic ENE. (3) Results: StarVIBE showed significantly superior image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for enlarged lymph nodes compared to VIBE. The MR findings of "invading adjacent planes" (SN, 0.54; SP, 1.00) and "matted nodes" (SN, 0.72; SP, 0.89) emerged as notable observations. The highest diagnostic performance was attained by combining these two features (SN, 0.93; SP, 0.89). (4) Conclusions: This study confirms that StarVIBE offers superior image quality for abnormal lymph nodes compared to VIBE, and it can accurately diagnose ENE by utilizing a composite MR criterion in head and neck cancer.

Prognostic significance of cervical radiologic carotid artery invasion by lymph node on magnetic resonance imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

Carotid artery invasion (CAI) has been demonstrated to be an important prognosticator in some head and neck cancers. This study aimed to examine the prognostic value of radiologic CAI (rCAI) by cervical lymphadenopathy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

NPC patients treated between January 2013 and December 2016 were included. Pre-treatment MRIs were reviewed for cervical rCAI according to the radiologic criteria. Univariate and multivariate models were constructed to assess the association between cervical rCAI and clinical outcomes. A new N classification system was proposed and compared to the 8th AJCC system.

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with MRI-positive lymph nodes was 84.7% (494/583), of whom cervical rCAI cases accounted for 42.3% (209/494). Cervical rCAI was associated with significantly poorer OS, DFS, DFFS and RFFS compared to non-rCAI (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses confirmed that cervical rCAI was an independent prognosticator for DFS and DFFS, surpassing other nodal features, such as laterality, size, cervical node necrosis (CNN) and radiologic extranodal extension (rENE), while location of positive LNs remained independently associated with OS, DFS and DFFS. We propose a refined N classification: New_N1: upper neck LNs only without cervical rCAI; New_N2: upper neck LNs only with cervical rCAI; New_N3: upper and lower LNs. The proposed classification broadened the differences in OS, DFS and DFFS between N1 and N2 disease, and achieved a higher c-index for DFS and DFFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical rCAI was an independent unfavorable indicator of NPC. Compared to the AJCC system, the proposed N category showed satisfactory stratification between N1 and N2 disease, and better prediction of distant metastasis and disease failure.

Macroscopic Extranodal Extension In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Subgroup With Poor Survival

BACKGROUND

Oral cancer portends a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cervical lymph node metastasis with extranodal extension (ENE) is associated with a poor prognosis. There has been accumulating evidence regarding the extent of ENE to be associated with prognosis and survival.

AIM

This observational study was performed to analyze the prognostic implication of macroscopic and microscopic ENE in metastatic cervical lymph nodes of oral cavity cancer patients.

METHODS

A total of 92 oral cavity cancer patients with pathologically detected ENE were included in this study. Both the groups (macroscopic and microscopic ENE) were compared in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival by using Kaplan -Meier. The pattern of failure was determined by Fischer's exact test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were calculated to determine the significant risk factors of death.

RESULTS

The 2 years of disease-free survival and overall survival rates for the whole cohort were 51.2% and 53.9% respectively. The 2-year survival rate for the microscopic group (≤2 mm) and macroscopic (>2 mm) was 72.6% and 0% respectively, while the distal failure rate in microscopic ENE group and macroscopic ENE group was 22.22% and 44.83% respectively (p-value = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Macroscopic ENE (>2 mm) in oral cavity squamous cell cancer represents an aggressive entity with early regional and distant failure as compared to microscopic ENE (≤2 mm). Thus, macroscopic ENE (>2 mm) warrants a distinct subgroup with special consideration for intensification of treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 133:588-593, 2023.

A dynamic nomogram combining tumor stage and magnetic resonance imaging features to predict the response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To establish an effective dynamic nomogram combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of primary tumor and regional lymph nodes with tumor stage for the pretreatment prediction of induction chemotherapy (IC) response in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC).

METHODS

A total of 498 LANPC patients (372 in the training and 126 in the validation cohort) with MRI information were enrolled. All patients were classified as "favorable responders" and "unfavorable responders" according to tumor response to IC. A nomogram for IC response was built based on the results of the logistic regression model. Also, the Cox regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

After two cycles of IC, 340 patients were classified as "favorable responders" and 158 patients as "unfavorable responders." Calibration curves revealed satisfactory agreement between the predicted and the observed probabilities. The nomogram achieved an AUC of 0.855 (95% CI, 0.781-0.930) for predicting IC response, which outperformed TNM staging (AUC, 0.661; 95% CI 0.565-0.758) and the MRI feature-based model alone (AUC, 0.744; 95% CI 0.650-0.839) in the validation cohort. The nomogram was used to categorize patients into high- and low-response groups. An online dynamic model was built ( https://nomogram-for-icresponse-prediction.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/ ) to facilitate the application of the nomogram. In the Cox multivariate analysis, clinical stage, tumor necrosis, EBV DNA levels, and cervical lymph node numbers were independently associated with DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive nomogram incorporating MRI features and tumor stage could assist physicians in predicting IC response and formulating personalized treatment strategies for LANPC patients.

KEY POINTS

• The nomogram can predict IC response in endemic LANPC. • The nomogram combining tumor stage with MRI-based tumor features showed very good predictive performance. • The nomogram was transformed into a web-based dynamic model to optimize clinical application.

Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy/maintenance chemotherapy after induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Experiences of two centers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In general, there are not many studies exploring the clinical value of adjuvant chemotherapy or maintenance chemotherapy (AC/MC) after induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC+CCRT+AC/MC). The purpose of this study was to establish a clinical nomogram for the use of AC/MC in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two centers (Guangzhou Medical University Cancer Center [N = 1226] and Zhongshan People's Hospital [N = 150]) recruited 1376 patients with LA-NPC. All the patients underwent IC+CCRT; 560 patients received AC with cisplatin/nedaplatin plus docetaxel/paclitaxel (TP) or cisplatin/nedaplatin plus fluorouracil (PF), and 81 patients received MC with S-1. Multivariate Cox regression was used to confirm optimal predictors of progression-free survival (PFS), and a nomogram was established to identify patients into low-risk and high-risk cohorts. Additionally, bootstrap internal validation was performed to further verify our nomogram.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching (PSM), the survival curves were not statistically different between IC+CCRT+AC/MC and IC+CCRT (all p > 0.05). Then, a nomogram was developed based on variables that were screened by univariate and multivariate Cox regression, including N stage, cumulative platinum dose during CCRT, body mass index (BMI), IC cycles, IC regimen and cervical lymph node (CLN) necrosis and infiltration of adjacent tissues. The results of the nomogram showed that the high-risk cohort had greatly worse 5-year DMFS, LRFS, PFS and OS compared to low-risk cohort (all p < 0.05), and subgroup analysis found that the 5-year DMFS, PFS and OS of patients treated with IC+CCRT+AC/MC were better than those treated with IC+CCRT in high-risk cohort (all p < 0.05). Notably, the incidence of adverse effects for IC+CCRT+AC cohort was higher than that for IC+CCRT+MC cohort, especially leukocytopenia and neutropenia. IC+CCRT and IC+CCRT+MC were associated with similar incidences of adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of AC or MC to IC+CCRT could improve the DMFS of patients with high-risk NPC and prolong their survival. Additionally, our findings suggest a potential role of AC/MC following IC plus CCRT in the treatment of high-risk LA-NPC.

MRI-based radiomics analysis for preoperative evaluation of lymph node metastasis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the role of pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics for the preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Methods

A total of 155 patients with HPSCC were eligibly enrolled from single institution. Radiomics features were extracted from contrast-enhanced axial T-1 weighted (CE-T1WI) sequence. The most relevant features of LN metastasis were selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was adopted to determine the independent clinical risk factors. Three models were constructed to predict the LN metastasis status: one using radiomics only, one using clinical factors only, and the other one combined radiomics and clinical factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curve were used to evaluate the discrimination and the accuracy of the models, respectively. The performances were tested by an internal validation cohort (n=47). The clinical utility of the models was assessed by decision curve analysis.

Results

The nomogram consisted of radiomics scores and the MRI-reported LN status showed satisfactory discrimination in the training and validation cohorts with AUCs of 0.906 (95% CI, 0.840 to 0.972) and 0.853 (95% CI, 0.739 to 0.966), respectively. The nomogram, i.e., the combined model, outperformed the radiomics and MRI-reported LN status in both discrimination and clinical usefulness.

Conclusions

The MRI-based radiomics nomogram holds promise for individual and non-invasive prediction of LN metastasis in patients with HPSCC.

A Predictive Nomogram for Lymph Node Metastasis in Supraglottic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) has a negative impact on the survival of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Supraglottic LSCC is the most common cause of cervical lymph node metastases due to the extensive submucosal lymphatic plexus. The accurate evaluation of LNM before surgery can inform improved decisions in the clinic. In this study, we aimed to construct a nomogram to predict LNM in primary supraglottic LSCC patients.

Methods

The data from 314 patients with clinico-pathological confirmed supraglottic LSCC who underwent partial or total laryngectomy in our department from 2016 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed (243 cases in the training set and 71 cases in the validation set). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to screen out independent risk factors and a nomogram was established. The accuracy and discrimination ability of the nomogram was evaluated using a consistency index and calibration curves.

Results

Tumor size, tumor differentiation degree and LMR (lymphocyte-monocyte ratio) were selected to construct the nomogram. The C-index was 0.731 in the training set and 0.707 in the validation set. The calibration curves of the training and validation group both exhibited close agreement between the predicted and the actual presence of LNM.

Conclusions

A nomogram was established based on routinely measured pretreatment variables and the predicted results improved the management of patients with LNM.

Inter-rater concordance and operating definitions of radiologic nodal feature assessment in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the reliability of radiologic nodal feature assessment in clinical node-positive human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Baseline CTs or MRIs of clinical node-positive human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed between 2012 and 2015 were reviewed independently by two neuroradiologists for seven nodal features: radiologic nodal involvement, cystic change, presence of necrosis, clustering, conglomeration, coalescence, and extranodal extension. Consensus operating definitions were derived after discussion. The features were re-reviewed in a randomly selected cohort. Levels of certainty (probability of presence: <25%, ∼50%, ∼75%, and >90%) were recorded. Interrater concordance was calculated using Cohen's kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

A total of 413 patients (826 necks) were eligible. At initial review, the inter-rater kappa values for: radiologic nodal involvement, cystic change, necrosis, clustering, conglomeration, coalescence, and extranodal extension were 0.92, 0.64, 0.48, 0.32, 0.32, 0.62, and 0.56, respectively. A re-review of 94 randomly selected cases (188 necks) after consolidation of operating definitions for nodal features showed that the inter-rater kappa values of these features were 0.83, 0.62, 0.58, 0.32, 0.18, 0.68, and 0.74 when considering ≥50% certainty as positive, and improved to 0.94, 0.66, 0.59, 0.33, 0.19, 0.76, and 0.86 when considering ≥75% certainty as positive.

CONCLUSION

Clearly defined nomenclature results in improved interrater reliability when assessing radiologic nodal features, especially for coalescent adenopathy and extranodal extension. Higher levels of certainty are associated with higher inter-rater agreement. Radiology reporting should include clear definitions of clinically relevant nodal features as well as levels of certainty to serve various needs in clinical care and research.

Re-evaluation of the prognostic significance of retropharyngeal node metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To investigate the prognostic value of retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective studies were performed in a total of 1197 patients. We evaluated the incidence of the retropharyngeal node (RPN) metastasis and the characteristics of the metastatic RPN including laterality, size, necrosis, and extranodal neoplastic spread.

RESULTS

RPN metastasis occured in 86.3% of patients. The RPN and level II metastasis shared similar survival outcomes. RPN metastasis was an independent prognostic factor for distant failure (hazard ratio = 1.615; 95% confidence interval, 1.063-2.452; P = 0.025), in which the laterality of RPN metastasis significantly influences both the distant failure (P = 0.006) and disease progression (P = 0.001). In N1 disease, the occurrence of unilateral and bilateral RPN metastasis resulted in significantly different outcomes of the disease-specific survival (P = 0.045) and progression-free survival (P = 0.049). The co-occurrence of bilateral RPN and cervical lymph nodes (CLN) metastasis was an independent adverse prognostic factor (P < 0.01) for distant failure and disease progression but not for locoregional recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Both the RPN and level II are the first stations of NPC lymph node metastasis. For N1-stage NPC patients, RPN metastasis, especially co-occurrence of bilateral RPN and CLN metastasis, have an adverse influence on survival outcomes.

The prognostic value of radiologic extranodal extension in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The prognostic value of radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains controversial. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of ungraded rENE and unambiguous advanced rENE.

METHODS

A literature search through PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and manual searches was conducted until May 2021. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival were extracted and pooled.

RESULTS

Nine eligible studies were published between 2012 and 2021. The pooled patient number was 7532 (range 61-1887). Seven studies were eligible for the analysis of ungraded rENE, while 3 studies were eligible for unambiguous advanced rENE. The results showed that ungraded rENE was associated with worse overall survival (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.04-3.27) and significantly associated with worse distant metastasis-free survival (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.36-3.13). On the other hand, unambiguous advanced rENE was significantly associated with worse overall survival (HR 2.62, 95% CI 2.12-3.25) and worse distant metastasis-free survival (HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.85-5.33).

CONCLUSIONS

In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, both ungraded and unambiguous advanced rENE are significant prognosticators of overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival. More prospective studies are required to determine its role in risk stratification or clinical staging.

Prognostic Significance of Radiologic Extranodal Extension in Nasopharyngeal Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Tertiary university hospital.

METHODS

We identified patients with nasopharyngeal cancer and lymph node metastasis who underwent pretreatment neck computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and evaluated rENE from the involved lymph node. Univariate Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to compare rENE+ and rENE- groups for local regional relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Of 61 cases, 24 (39.3%) were rENE+ and 37 (60.7%) were rENE-. The median follow-up was 65.5 months. The 5-year distant metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates were lower in the rENE+ group than the rENE- group (70.8% vs 89.2%, P = .016; 66.7% vs 89.2%, P = .01, respectively). Differences in locoregional control between the groups were not significant (P = .18). The 5-year rates for local regional relapse-free survival were 87.5% for rENE+ and 91.9% for rENE-. In multivariate analysis, the presence of rENE was a significant independent adverse prognostic factor for distant metastasis-free survival and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that rENE is an independent prognostic factor for poor distant control and survival in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.

Patient Selection for Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What the Surgeon Wants to Know

ABSTRACT

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an excellent treatment strategy for well-selected patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Potential benefits of TORS are greatest among patients for whom surgical resection will reduce or eliminate the need for adjuvant therapy. Proper patient selection largely depends on imaging, which is used to determine tumor resectability, to inform expected morbidity and functional outcome, to assess the potential need for adjuvant therapy, to evaluate for vascular or other anatomic contraindications, and to gauge adequacy of transoral access to the tumor. This article provides the radiologist with a practical and accessible approach to interpreting preoperative imaging among patients with oropharyngeal cancer, emphasizing what the surgeon wants to know to inform the determination of whether the patient is a TORS candidate and why this information is important. By accurately reporting this information, the radiologist facilitates the multidisciplinary care team's selection of a treatment regimen optimized for the circumstances of the individual patient.

How is neck dissection performed in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery? Results of a representative nationwide survey among university and non-university hospitals in Germany

Introduction

Neck dissection (ND) is a surgical procedure addressing cervical lymph nodes and metastases in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to analyze clinical decisions regarding indications and variations of ND in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) in Germany.

Material and methods

A nationwide survey of the German Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was performed using dynamic online questionnaires including 38 questions. Data about oncological centers, case numbers, and staging procedures were collected. Relevant aspects, such as inclusion of level IIb and levels IV and V to ND, uni- vs. bilateral ND, and the influence of extra-nodal extension (ENE) of metastases on extension of ND were evaluated.

Results

Eighty-four OMFS of university and non-university hospitals participated in the study (responding rate 21.4%). Sixty-six (78.57%) stated to work at certified cancer centers and 53.57% of the hospitals treated between 50 and 100 OSCC cases per year. CT and/or MRI of the head and neck was performed in most of the staging procedures. Level IIb was included by 71 (93.42%) of the participants in selective ND. Levels IV and V were included by 53 (69.74%) in node-positive neck. In solitary ipsilateral metastases (ENE−), 49 participants (62.82%) stated to perform exclusively an ipsilateral ND and 40 (51.95%) stated to perform only an ipsilateral ND in ENE+.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a high rate of certified cancer centers in Germany showing differences regarding staging procedures, indications, and extension of ND, especially in increasingly complex cases.

Clinical relevance

Clinical decisions regarding ND are dependent on case-individual aspects and must be decided individually.

A nomogram for predicting occult lymph node metastasis in early hypopharyngeal cancer with cN0

PURPOSE

To explore the risk factors of cervical occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) in early cN0 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC), and construct a nomogram model to predict the risk of OLNM in patients with early cN0 HPSCC.

METHODS

78 cases of early (T₁-T₂) HPSCC patients who underwent hypopharyngectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent risk factors and a nomogram was constructed according to the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Model performance was assessed by constructing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and discriminatory capacity assessed using the area under the curve (AUC). Calibration was completed using a plotted calibration curve accompanied by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR 0.928, 95% CI 0.863-0.997), history of drinking (OR 6.668, 95% CI 1.724-25.788), histological differentiation of tumor (OR 7.269, 95% CI 1.000-52.820), depth of invasion (OR 5.046, 95% CI 1.281-19.874) were independent risk factors of OLNM in early cN0 HPSCC. The ROC curve had an AUC of 0.811 (95% CI 0.713-0.909), which implies good discriminate capacity. The calibration curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P = 0.972) demonstrated good model fitted and high calibration.

CONCLUSION

A nomogram model based on age, drinking history, histological differentiation of tumor, and depth of tumor invasion was successfully developed to predict occult cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with early cN0 hypopharyngeal cancer.

Unambiguous advanced radiologic extranodal extension determined by MRI predicts worse outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Potential improvement for future editions of N category systems

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To explore the prognostic value of different radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) grades and their potential improvement for the 8th edition N category in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2009 to 2013, a cohort of 1887 patients with NPC was retrospectively enrolled and randomized to the training (n = 955) and validation (n = 932) groups. rENE was categorized as follows: grade 0, nodes without rENE; grade 1, nodes with rENE infiltrating the surrounding fat only; grade 2, matted nodes; grade 3, nodes with rENE infiltrating adjacent structures.

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with MRI-positive cervical nodes was 66.5% (1254/1887), of whom grade 0, 1, 2 and 3 rENE cases accounted for 33.2% (416/1254), 14.9% (187/1254), 36.5% (458/1254) and 15.4% (193/1254), respectively. The kappa coefficients for the inter-rater and intra-rater assessments were 0.63, 0.51, 0.65 and 0.93, and 0.76, 0.69, 0.72 and 1.0 in grade 0, 1, 2 and 3 rENE, respectively. Grade 3 rENE rather than grades 0-2 rENE was an independent unfavorable predictor of overall survival and disease-free survival (P < 0.001). Recursive partitioning analysis was applied to refine the N category: eN0 (N0), eN1 (N1 without grade 3), eN2 (N2 without grade 3), and eN3 (N1/N2 with grade 3, N3). Compared to the current system, the proposed N category performed better in hazard consistency, hazard discrimination, sample size balance and outcome prediction.

CONCLUSION

Grade 3 rENE was an independent unfavorable indicator of NPC. Upstaging patients in N1-2 with grade 3 rENE to N3 led to a superior prognostic performance.

Diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities in detection of histopathological extranodal extension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To present an up to date systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of the most used imaging modalities in detection of histopathological extra nodal extension (ENE) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched on March 27th 2020. Screening, inclusion, quality assessment, and data extraction were done by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was conducted using the bivariate model approach after pooling the studies according to imaging modality. Heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression. Comparison was done by meta-regression and sub-group analyses.

RESULTS

Out of 476 initial hits, 25 studies were included for analysis. Of these, 14 dealt with CT, nine with PET/CT, four with MRI, two with ultrasound, and none with PET/MRI. Meta-analysis based on a total sample size of 3391 showed that CT had a sensitivity of 76% [67-82%] and specificity of 77% [69-83%], MRI a sensitivity of 72% [64-79%] and specificity of 78% [57-90%], and PET/CT a sensitivity of 80% [76-84%] and specificity of 83% [74-90%] in the ability to predict ENE. No meta-analysis could be done on ultrasound. There were no significant differences between modalities in overall accuracy; however, PET/CT had significantly higher sensitivity than CT and MRI.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the ability of CT, MRI, and PET/CT to diagnose histopathological ENE, except that PET/CT had a significantly higher sensitivity than CT and MRI.

Prognosis of Extracapsular Spread of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Purpose

This study aims to identify the prognosis of the extracapsular spread (ECS) of cervical lymph node metastases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials and Methods

Patients with NPC were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2016. Pathologically confirmed World Health Patients with World Health Organization types I, II, and III NPC with complete ECS data of cervical lymph node metastases were investigated. The included patients were divided into non-ECS and ECS groups. The 10-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were compared between the two groups using the Kaplan-Meier method and propensity score matching analyses.

Results

A total of 625 patients were included. The ECS group included 99 (15.84%) patients. The non-ECS group included 526 (84.16%) patients. The 10-year OS (50.2 vs. 35.8%; P < 0.001) and CSS (64.8 vs. 45.7%; P < 0.001) were better in the non-ECS group than in the ECS group in the unmatched cohort. Propensity score matching analyses revealed favorable 10-year OS (52.7 vs. 35.8%; P = 0.008) and CSS (61.2 vs. 45.7%; P = 0.008) in the non-ECS group with respect to the ECS group. Age, sex, race, AJCC stage, and ECS (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–2.57, P = 0.010) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Age, sex, AJCC stage, and ECS (HR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.21–3.01; P = 0.005) were independent prognostic factors for CSS.

Conclusion

This study indicated that ECS is a prognostic risk factor for NPC. Further studies should be performed to verify the results due to the limitations of the SEER database.

The diagnostic performance of CT and MRI for detecting extranodal extension in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To review the diagnostic performance of CT and MRI for detecting extranodal extension (ENE) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to October 7, 2019. Studies that evaluated the diagnostic performance of CT and/or MRI for detecting ENE in HNSCC patients were included. A 2 × 2 table was reconstructed for each study. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the bivariate model and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model. Subgroup analyses were performed according to HPV status and radiological features. Pooled correlation coefficient for interobserver agreement was calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies including 2478 patients were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for detecting ENE were 73% (95% CI, 62-82%) and 83% (95% CI, 75-89%), respectively, for CT, and 60% (95% CI, 49-70%) and 96% (95% CI, 85-99%), respectively, for MRI. There was substantial heterogeneity for both CT and MRI. A threshold effect was present for MRI. On subgroup analysis, the pooled specificity of CT was significantly lower in patients with HPV+ OPSCC than in patients with HPV‑ oral cavity cancer or all HNSCC (74% vs. 87%; p = 0.01). Central node necrosis showed significantly higher pooled sensitivity (81% vs. 51%; p = 0.02), while infiltration of adjacent planes showed significantly higher pooled specificity (94% vs. 65%; p = 0.03). The pooled correlation coefficient was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.60-0.81).

CONCLUSION

Both CT and MRI show reasonable diagnostic performance for detecting ENE in HNSCC patients and interobserver agreement was substantial.

KEY POINTS

• Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 73% and 83% for CT and 60% and 96% for MRI without significant difference. • Pooled specificity was lower for HPV+ OPSCC than for HPV‑ oral cavity cancer or all HNSCC (74% vs. 87%, p = 0.01), likely due to central node necrosis. • Central node necrosis showed higher sensitivity (81% vs. 51%; p = 0.02), while infiltration of adjacent planes showed higher specificity (94% vs. 65%; p = 0.03).

Significance of Extranodal Extension in Surgically Treated HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck are the subject of numerous current studies, especially in view of the increasing incidence of tumors induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) and the latest changes to the TNM classification of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). In addition to HPV status, the presence of extranodal extension of lymph node metastases represents an important risk and prognostic factor, which has now been integrated into the staging algorithm of the eighth edition of TNM classification for HPV-negative OPSCC. In the past numerous studies had shown a lack of prognostic significance of extranodal extension in HPV-associated tumors. However, extranodal extension–as a possible risk factor even in HPV-positive OPSCC–remains an important subject of current studies, which are now particularly characterized by high numbers of cases. In this paper, diagnostic methods and the prognostic significance of extranodal extension in surgically treated HPV-positive OPSCC are presented and discussed based on relevant literature, and the results of current publications are summarized. Further development of diagnostic criteria and procedures as well as international standardization of clinical diagnostics of extranodal extension should be encouraged. Several studies demonstrate that extranodal extension results in worse survival outcomes even in HPV-positive tumors, in contrast to results of previous studies. Consequently, whether the prognostic significance of extranodal extension is not actually relevant to outcome and the staging algorithm of HPV-positive OPSCC should be questioned and further analyzed.

Multimodal Imaging With Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Extracapsular Extension in Head and Neck Cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To assess the ability of specific positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features to detect extracapsular extension (ECE) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study in a tertiary certified university cancer institute.

METHODS

We performed a review of patients with advanced HNSCC at Bern University Hospital between 2014 and 2018. Patients with pretherapeutic PET/CT and/or MRI who underwent neck dissection were included, with 212 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria. Blinded evaluation of specific PET/CT and MRI features with respect to presence of ECE was performed. Histopathological examination of neck dissection specimens was used as the gold standard to determine ECE status.

RESULTS

Out of the 212 included patients, 184 had PET/CT, 186 MRI, and 158 both modalities. Overall clinical stage IV (odds ratio [OR]: 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.25-11.74), ill-defined margins in both PET/CT and MRI (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.21-9.98 and OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 0.94-4.89, respectively), and a maximum standardized uptake value ≥ 10 (OR: 5.44, 95% CI: 1.21-9.98) were all significant independent predictors of ECE. When combined, these four features led to a cumulative score able to predict ECE status with an accuracy of 91.43%.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings indicate specific features in PET/CT and MRI are potential predictors of ECE status and may help in pretherapeutic stratification in HNSCC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E163-E169, 2021.

Extra-nodal extension in head and neck cancer: how radiologists can help staging and treatment planning

Extranodal extension (ENE) is a significant prognostic factor in p16-negative head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma and is classified as N3b by the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition. While most previous radiological studies have focused on the diagnostic performance of pathological ENE, radiologists should be able to provide more clinically relevant information on this entity. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical implications of ENE, to describe key imaging features of ENE with clinical and histopathological correlations and to discuss evaluation of ENE for clinical staging, treatment planning, and predicting the response to treatment. First, we discuss the basics of ENE, including definitions of pathological and clinical ENE and its association with imaging findings. Second, we describe the ENE extension pattern at each location according to level system. The crucial structures determining the choice of treatment include the deep fascia in the deep cervical layer, internal and common carotid arteries, and mediastinal structures. Invasion of the muscles, internal jugular vein, nerves, or mandible also affect the surgical procedure. Finally, we discuss assessment of nodal metastasis after chemoradiotherapy.

Critical Changes in the Staging of Head and Neck Cancer

The many changes made to the head and neck (HN) chapters of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) cancer staging manuals have resulted in confusion from clinicians and radiologists. These changes have even raised concerns for validity. In prior staging manual updates, the changes made largely provided simplification of more complex staging details. The current eighth edition of the AJCC/UICC staging manuals introduced greater granularity to HN tumor staging. This reflects the current understanding of pathophysiology of these cancers and is necessary to create a more accurate prognosis for these patients. The most commonly encountered example of manual changes is the separate staging of viral-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from tobacco and alcohol use-associated squamous cell carcinoma. While anatomic imaging is critical for HN cancer staging, and frequently outweighs clinical examination, some changes to staging make it impossible for a stage to be assigned until surgical resection is performed. In all, the AJCC/UICC eighth edition changes, the impact on radiologists, and the rationale behind the changes will be discussed. Additionally, opportunities for radiologists to contribute to research that may influence the next edition of AJCC/UICC cancer staging manuals will be proposed. Keywords: Head/Neck, Oncology, Pharynx, Staging © RSNA, 2020.

MRI-detected residual retropharyngeal lymph node after intensity-modulated radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Prognostic value and a nomogram for the pretherapy prediction of it

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic value of MRI-detected residual retropharyngeal lymph node (RRLN) at three months after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and second, to establish a nomogram for the pretherapy prediction of RRLN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 1103 patients with NPC from two hospitals (Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center [SYSUCC, n = 901] and Dongguan People's Hospital [DGPH, n = 202]). We evaluated the prognostic value of RRLN using Cox regression model in SYSUCC cohort. We developed a nomogram for the pretherapy prediction of RRLN using logistic regression model in SYSUCC training cohort (n = 645). We assessed the performance of this nomogram in an internal validation cohort (SYSUCC validation cohort, n = 256) and an external independent cohort (DGPH validation cohort, n = 202).

RESULTS

RRLN was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.32-3.29), DFS (HR 2.45, 95% CI 1.75-3.42), DMFS (HR 3.31, 95% CI 2.15-5.09), and LRRFS (HR 3.04, 95% CI 1.70-5.42). We developed a nomogram based on baseline Epstein-Barr virus DNA level and three RLN status-related features (including minimum axial diameter, extracapsular nodal spread, and laterality) that predicted an individual's risk of RRLN. Our nomogram showed good discrimination in the training cohort (C-index = 0.763). The favorable performance of this nomogram was confirmed in the internal and external validation cohorts.

CONCLUSION

MRI-detected RRLN at three months after IMRT was an unfavorable prognostic factor for patients with NPC. We developed and validated an easy-to-use nomogram for the pretherapy prediction of RRLN.

Advances in Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Management of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: State of the Art

During the past decade and a half, the most common cause of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has shifted from tobacco and alcohol to the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-driven p16-positive OPSCC and tobacco-related OPSCC differ in their underlying molecular and genetic profiles, socioeconomic demographics, and response to treatment. HPV-related OPSCC tends to occur in younger patients and has a significantly better response to treatment and excellent prognosis. The stark contrast in prognosis-with around 90% overall 5-year survival for HPV-related p16-positive OPSCC and 40% for non-HPV-related p16-negative OPSCC-has prompted major changes in the eighth edition of the staging manual of the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer). The past 10-15 years have also witnessed major advances in surgery, radiation therapy (RT), and systemic therapy. Minimally invasive surgery has come of age, with transoral robotic procedures and laser microsurgery. Intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) and more recently proton-beam RT have markedly improved the conformity of RT, with an ability to precisely target the cancer and cancer-bearing regions while sparing normal structures and significantly reducing long-term treatment-related morbidity. Progress in systemic therapy has come in the form of immunotherapy and targeted agents such as cetuximab. Owing to the better prognosis of HPV-driven OPSCC as well as the morbidity associated with treatment, de-escalation of therapy via multiple strategies is being explored. The article reviews the advances in diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of OPSCC in the HPV era.^©RSNA, 2019.

[The 8th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual : Updates in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery]

BACKGROUND

The TNM system is an established tool for classification of solid tumors by means of tumor size and extent, the involvement of local lymph nodes, and the presence of distant metastases. The classification was established in order to visualize prognostic implications and to allow establishment of systematic therapeutic algorithms. Since the beginning of 2017 a revised version of the classification has applied. Particularly the classification of otorhinolaryngologic tumors has been thoroughly revised in the 8th edition, partly on the basis of new prognostically relevant parameters, such as infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) served as a basis for the review. The highlighted changes were supplemented by a literature review and the most important elements were summarized.

RESULTS

Substantial changes were made for oropharyngeal carcinomas caused by HPV, for the classification of lymph node metastases under consideration of extranodal extension, and for classification of tumors of the oral cavity. Due to their frequency and special biology, skin tumors in the head and neck area are now described in a separate chapter.

CONCLUSION

The new classification is a challenge for all specialties involved in tumor staging and therapy. The advantage for the patient lies in a more accurately adjustable treatment modality through more precise classification of tumors. Good collaboration and rapid implementation of the new classification is required in all disciplines involved in head neck tumor diagnostics and therapy.

Optimal diagnostic method using multidetector-row computed tomography for predicting lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Prediction of nodal involvement in colorectal cancer is an important aspect of preoperative workup to determine the necessity of preoperative treatment and the adequate extent of lymphadenectomy during surgery. This study aimed to investigate newer multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) findings for better predicting lymph node (LN) metastasis in colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Seventy patients were enrolled in this study; all underwent MDCT prior to surgery and upfront curative resection for colorectal cancer. LNs with a short-axis diameter (SAD) ≥ 4 mm were identified on MDCT images, and the following measures were recorded by two radiologists independently: two-dimensional (2D) SAD, 2D long-axis diameter (LAD), 2D ratio of SAD to LAD, 2D CT attenuation value, three-dimensional (3D) SAD, 3D LAD, 3D SAD to LAD ratio, 3D CT attenuation value, LN volume, and presence of extranodal neoplastic spread (ENS), as defined by indistinct nodal margin, irregular capsular enhancement, or infiltration into adjacent structures.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients presented 173 LNs with a SAD ≥ 4 mm, while 24 patients exhibited pathologically confirmed LN metastases. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that 2D LAD was the most sensitive measure for LN metastases with an area under the curve of 0.752 (cut-off value, 7.05 mm). When combined with CT findings indicating ENS, 2D LAD (> or ≤ 7 mm) showed enhanced predictive power for LN metastases (area under the curve, 0.846; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

LAD in axial MDCT imaging is the most sensitive measure for predicting colorectal LN metastases, especially when MDCT findings of ENS are observed.

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for assessment of mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in dogs with oral and nasal cancer

The diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT for detection of cervical lymph node metastasis in dogs is unknown. The purpose of this retrospective, observational, diagnostic accuracy study was to assess the efficacy of CT for detection of mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in dogs. Histopathology of dogs with cancer of the head, CT and bilateral mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy was reviewed. A single radiologist measured lymph nodes to derive short axis width and long-short axis ratios. Two blinded radiologists separately assessed lymph node margins, attenuation and contrast enhancement and each provided a final subjective interpretation of each node site as benign or neoplastic. Where radiologists' opinions differed, a consensus was reached. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated for mandibular and medial retropharyngeal sites. Agreement between radiologists was assessed. Fisher's exact test and the Kruskal-Wallis H-test were used to assess associations between variables. Forty-one primary tumours were recorded in 40 dogs. Metastasis to mandibular or retropharyngeal lymph nodes occurred in 16 out of 40 dogs (43/160 nodes). Agreement between radiologists was almost perfect for margination, attenuation and enhancement, strong for interpretation of mandibular lymph node metastasis, and weak for interpretation of medial retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. Sensitivity of CT was 12.5% and 10.5%, specificity was 91.1% and 96.7%, and accuracy was 67.5% and 76.3% for mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes respectively. No individual CT findings were predictive of nodal metastasis. Given the low sensitivity of CT, this modality cannot be relied upon alone for assessment of cervical lymph node metastasis in dogs.

PET/MR Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Applications and Future Directions

Clinical PET/MR imaging is being implemented at institutions worldwide as part of the standard-of-care imaging for select oncology patients. This article focuses on oncologic applications of PET/MR imaging in cancers of the head and neck. Although current published literature is relatively sparse, the potential benefits of a hybrid modality of PET/MR imaging are discussed along with several possible areas of research. With the increasing number of PET/MR imaging scanners in clinical use and ongoing research, the role of PET/MR imaging in the management of head and neck cancer is likely to become more evident in the near future.

Computed Tomography Versus Magnetic Resonance in Head and Neck Cancer: When to Use What and Image Optimization Strategies

This article provides a practical overview of head and neck cancers, outlining an approach to evaluating these lesions and optimizing imaging strategies. Recognition of key anatomic landmarks as suggested by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) criteria is emphasized. Further, the recently updated eighth edition of the AJCC staging manual has introduced some modifications that influence the TNM staging. These modifications are discussed throughout the article to provide an updated review on head and neck cancer.

Setting the Stage for 2018: How the Changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control Cancer Staging Manual Eighth Edition Impact Radiologists

The updated eighth edition of the Cancer Staging Manual of the American Joint Committee on Cancer will be implemented in January 2018. There are multiple changes to the head and neck section of the manual, which will be relevant to radiologists participating in multidisciplinary head and neck tumor boards and reading pretreatment head and neck cancer scans. Human papillomavirus-related/p16(+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma will now be staged separately; this change reflects the markedly better prognosis of these tumors compared with non-human papillomavirus/p16(-) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Nodal staging has dramatically changed so that there are different tables for human papillomavirus/p16(+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, Epstein-Barr virus-related nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and all other head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Extranodal extension of tumor is a new clinical feature for this third staging group. In the oral cavity, the pathologically determined depth of tumor invasion is a new staging criterion, while extrinsic tongue muscle invasion is no longer part of staging. This review serves to educate radiologists on the eighth edition changes and their rationale.

Extranodal spread of primary and secondary metastatic nodes: The dominant risk factor of survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Extranodal spread (ENS) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can greatly influence the prognostic outcomes. However, the relative risks of ENS in the primary (1st) and secondary (2nd) metastatic nodes (mets) are not well documented. We retrospectively analyzed the hazard ratios (HRs) of ENS in the 1st and 2nd mets from 516 HNSCC patients who had undergone primary tumor excision. The impact of clinically and/or histologically confirmed ENS-positive mets on prognosis in terms of cancer-specific survival was analyzed. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis indicated that ENS-positive 1st met (adjusted HR = 3.15; 95% CI, 1.40-7.56; p = 0.006) and ENS-positive 2nd met (adjusted HR = 4.03; 95% CI, 1.41-16.96; p = 0.007) significantly and independently predicted poor prognosis; however, other variables including primary site, met size or numbers, and met location in the contralateral side of the primary lesion, did not. Cumulative incidence function and Cox analyses indicated that differences in ENS profiles of 1st and 2nd mets stratified HNSCC patients with varying risks of poor outcome; HRs relative to patients with ENS-positive 1st met (-)/ENS-positive 2nd met (-) were 4.02 (95% CI, 1.78-8.24; p = 0.002), 8.29 (95% CI, 4.58-14.76; p <0.001), and 25.80 (95% CI, 10.15-57.69; p <0.001) for patients with ENS-positive 1st met (+)/ENS-positive 2nd met (-), ENS-positive 1st met (-)/ENS-positive 2nd met (+), and ENS-positive 1st met (+)/ENS-positive 2nd met (+) patients, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the 2nd met that appeared in the neck side with a history of 1st met and neck dissection had a higher risk of ENS than the 2nd met in the neck side without the history (p = 0.003). These results suggested that ENS is a dominant prognostic predictor of HNSCC patients, with double-positive ENS in the 1st and 2nd mets predicting the most devastating outcome.

Meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging accuracy for diagnosis of oral cancer

Objective

To establish the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an auxiliary means for the diagnosis of oral cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

An exhaustive search of publications from 1986 to 2016 was performed of Medline, Embase and Cochrane (and related databases), including grey literature. Primary diagnostic accuracy studies that assessed oral cancer (target condition) using MRI (index test) were included. Diagnostic threshold, sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were performed. A meta-analysis was performed using Meta-DiSc® v. 1.4 software.

Results

A total of 24 primary studies were assessed, comprising 1,403 oral cancer lesions. Nine studies used diffusion-weighted MRI, with a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 30.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.7–74.3) and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.917 (95% CI: 0.915–0.918); seven studies used dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, with a DOR of 48.1 (95%CI: 22.4–103.2) and AUC of 0.936 (95% CI: 0.934–0.937); and 13 studies used traditional MRI, with a DOR of 23.9 (95%CI: 13.2–43.3) and AUC of 0.894 (95% CI: 0.894–0.895). Meta-regression analysis indicated that the magnetic field strength may have influenced the heterogeneity of the results obtained (p = 0.0233) using traditional MRI. Sensitivity analysis revealed a discrete reduction of inconsistency in some subgroups.

Conclusion

The three types of MRI assessed exhibited satisfactory accuracy compared to biopsy. Considering the relevance of early treatment and screening and that better health care results in improved survival rates and quality of life for oral cancer patients, we suggest the use of MRI as a part of the pre-treatment and monitoring protocol at public health services.

Validation of the pathological classification of lymph node metastasis for head and neck tumors according to the 8th edition of the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors

OBJECTIVES

One of the main changes in the 8th edition of the TNM Classification for head and neck tumors is the inclusion of extracapsular spread (ECS) as a criterion for evaluating the regional extension, both clinical (cN) and pathological (pN). The objective of our study is to evaluate the prognostic capacity derived from the inclusion of the ECS in the pathological classification of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with a neck dissection, as established by the 8th edition TNM Classification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 1188 patients with HNSCC treated with a neck dissection between1990 and 2013.

RESULTS

There were lymph node metastasis in 50.1% of the neck dissections. The pathological record revealed ECS in 50.5% of the positive neck dissections. The implementation of the changes of the 8th edition TNM classification produced the upstaging of 20.9% of the patients classified as pN1 with the 7th edition TNM classification to pN2a¸ and the upstaging of 58.4% of the patients classified as pN2 with the 7th edition TNM classification to pN3b. We conducted an objective comparison of the quality of both classifications. The 8th TNM classification edition achieved better results regarding both the discrimination in cause-specific survival between pN categories and in the distribution in the number of cases between categories than the 7th edition TNM classification.

CONCLUSION

The inclusion of ECS in the pathological classification (pN) of the neck nodes improves the prognostic capacity of the 8th TNM Classification edition.

Lymph Node Central Necrosis on the Computed Tomography as the Predictor of the Extra Capsular Spread in Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the presence of the cervical lymph node with central necrosis as on the preoperative imaging and postoperative histopathological identification of the lymph node extra capsular spread. This study is a prospective study conducted at J.L.N. Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilai (C.G), from August 2011 to January 2014. Thirty patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled. All candidates were subjected to a detailed history taking and clinical examination. Their preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were assessed with attention to the presence and absence of lymph node, lymph node size, shape, level, presence or absence of the lymph node central necrosis and other signs of the ECS such as thick walled enhancing nodal margin, loss of margin definition, alteration of adjacent fat planes. These patients then underwent surgery which included resection of the primary with the neck dissection. The preoperative records of the lymph node size and location were observed radio-graphically and analyzed with the resected lymph node histopathologically. These data was used for finding out correlation. Of the total 30 patients studied, 24 patients were male and 6 patients female with ratio of 4:1. The most common group of the patients were of malignancy of gingivobuccal sulcus. Out of the 30 patients 19 patients had the radiographic evidence of the central necrosis, out of which 11 had the extra capsular spread on the histological analysis. In no patients did we found histopathology extra capsular spread without central necrosis. Thus the central necrosis on the CT has the high sensitivity for detection of the extra capsular spread. Out of the 19 lymph node without extra capsular spread, 11 lymph nodes had no central necrosis on the preoperative CT, remaining 8 lymph node were having central necrosis on CT whereas post op histopathology of these 8 lymph nodes showed metastatic deposit, indicating the low specificity of the central necrosis in detection of the ECS. Lymph node central necrosis on pre-operative CT is sensitive indicator with a high negative predictive value for lymph node extra capsular spread. Future studies focusing on identifying molecular mediator involved in ECS to determine targets for adjuvant therapies in this subset of patients are recommended.