Tongue Base (tongue + base)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Digital Imagery Guided Somnoplasty of the Tongue Base

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue S1 2009
Yi H. Kao MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Carcinoma of the Tongue Base Treated by Transoral Laser Microsurgery, Part Two: Persistent, Recurrent and Second Primary Tumors

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 12 2006
David G. Grant MD
Abstract Objectives: To report the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of persistent, recurrent, and second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base. Study Design: A two-center prospective case series analysis. Methods: Twenty-five patients with persistent, recurrent, or second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base were treated with TLM between 1997 and 2005. Four (16%) patients with persistent disease at the primary site were considered TX. Eleven (44%) patients with recurrent disease were pathologically staged rT1 3/11, rT2 2/11, rT3 4/11, T4 1/11, and TX 1/11. Ten (40%) patients with second primary tumors were staged pT1, 4/10; pT2, 3/10; pT3, 2/10; and pT4, 1/10. Eight (32%) patients underwent neck dissection. Three (12%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Pre- and post-treatment organ function was assessed using a clinical Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS) and Communication Scale. Results: The mean follow-up period was 26 months. The 2-year Kaplan-Meier local control and locoregional control estimate was 69%. For those patients presenting with persistent/recurrent or second primary disease, the 2 year local control estimates were 75% and 68%, respectively. For all patients, the respective 2 and 5 year overall survival estimates were 54% and 26%. Two (8%) patients suffered postoperative hemorrhage. The average duration of hospitalization was 3.6 days. The median pretreatment and posttreatment FOSS stage was stage 2 and stage 3, respectively. Conclusions: Transoral laser surgery is a rational and effective treatment in appropriately selected patients with persistent, recurrent, or second primary tongue base cancer. The low morbidity and mortality and shortened duration of hospitalization associated with TLM make it an attractive therapeutic alternative. [source]


Definitive radiotherapy with interstitial implant boost for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 5 2005
Omur Karakoyun-Celik MD
Abstract Background. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term outcome of a cohort of patients with unresected base of tongue carcinoma who received interstitial brachytherapy after comprehensive external beam radiation therapy. Methods. Between 1983 and 2000, 122 patients with primary or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx or oral cavity received interstitial brachytherapy as part of their overall management. Forty patients had primary, unresected carcinoma of the base of tongue and are the subjects of this analysis. The median age was 54 years. Fifty-four percent had T3 or T4 disease, and 70% had clinical or radiographic lymphadenopathy. Twenty-four (60%) received two to three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The oropharynx, bilateral neck, and supraclavicular fossae were comprehensively irradiated, and the tongue base received a median external beam dose of 61.2 Gy (50,72 Gy). The primary site was then boosted with an interstitial 192Iridium implant by use of a gold-button single-strand technique and three-dimensional treatment planning. The dose rate was prescribed at 0.4 to 0.5 Gy/hr. The median implant dose was 17.4 Gy (9.6,24 Gy) and adjusted to reach a total dose to the primary tumor of 80 Gy. N2 to 3 disease was managed by a planned neck dissection performed at the time of the implant. Results. The median follow-up for all patients was 56 months, and the overall survival rates were 62% at 5 years and 27% at 10 years. The actuarial primary site control was 78% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years. The overall survival and primary site control were independent of T classification, N status, or overall stage. Systemic therapy was associated with an improvement in overall survival (p = .04) and a trend toward increased primary site control with greater clinical response. There were seven documented late effects, the most frequent being grade 3 osteonecrosis (n = 2), grade 2 swallowing dysfunction (n = 2), trismus (n = 2), and chronic throat pain (n = 1). Conclusions. In an era of greatly improved dose distributions made possible by three-dimensional treatment planning and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, brachytherapy allows a highly conformal dose to be delivered in sites such as the oropharynx. If done properly, the procedure is safe and delivers a dose that is higher than what can be achieved by external beam radiation alone with the expected biologic advantages. The long-term data presented here support an approach of treating advanced tongue base lesions that includes interstitial brachytherapy as part of the overall management plan. This approach has led to a 78% rate of organ preservation at 5 years, with a 5% incidence of significant late morbidity (osteonecrosis) that has required medical management. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX,XXX, 2005 [source]


Disease control, survival, and functional outcome after multimodal treatment for advanced-stage tongue base cancer

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 7 2004
James P. Malone MD
Abstract Background. Surgical resection and postoperative radiation for advanced-stage malignancies of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and hypopharynx result in a dismal overall survival of 38%. Patients with carcinoma of the tongue base frequently have advanced disease at the time of presentation, and combined-modality therapy is usually required to achieve cure. Because of the poor survival rates with advanced malignancies with standard therapy, new and innovative approaches continue to be developed in an attempt to have a greater impact on disease control, patient survival, and functional outcome after therapy. This study examines functional outcome, survival, and disease control in patients receiving an intensified treatment regimen with concomitant chemoradiotherapy, surgery, and intraoperative radiotherapy for previously untreated, resectable, stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue base. Methods. Forty patients with previously untreated, resectable, stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base were treated in one of three sequential phase II intensification regimens (IRs). Treatment consisted of perioperative, hyperfractionated radiotherapy (9.1 Gy) with concurrent cisplatin followed by surgical resection with intraoperative radiotherapy boost (7.5 Gy). Postoperative treatment involved concurrent chemoradiotherapy (40 Gy to the primary site and upper neck and 45 Gy to the supraclavicular areas) with cisplatin with or without paclitaxel. Locoregional and distant disease control, 2-year overall, and disease-specific survival rates were calculated. The Performance Status Scale (PSS) for Head and Neck Cancer Patients was administered to 25 of the surviving patients. The effects of the method of surgical reconstruction, surgery involving the mandible and/or larynx, and early versus advanced T stage on PSS score were evaluated with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results. Median follow-up in months for IR1, IR2, and IR3 were 83.6, 75.2, and 26.8. The locoregional control rate was 100%, and the rate of distant metastases was 7.5% for all patients. Two-year overall and disease-specific survival rates for the entire study population were 74.7% and 93.6%, respectively. Mean PSS scores by subscales Eating in Public, Understandability of Speech, and Normalcy of Diet were 55 (range, 0,100), 73 (range, 25,100), and 49 (range, 0,100), respectively. PSS scores were significantly higher in patients with primary closure of the surgical defect, no mandibular surgery, and early T-stage lesions. Conclusions. Although functional outcome may be decreased by certain surgical interventions and advanced T stage, the high rate of locoregional and distant disease control and excellent 2-year disease-specific survival supports an aggressive treatment regimen for advanced tongue base cancer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck26: 561,572, 2004 [source]


CT analysis after distraction osteogenesis in Pierre Robin Sequence

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2009
Saswata Roy MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Early mandibular lengthening by distraction osteogenesis provides an alternative to traditional methods of airway management in infants with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). Little evidence in the medical literature quantitatively demonstrates the changes in skeletal, soft tissue, and hypopharyngeal spaces with mandibular distraction. Study Design: Prospective analysis of a cohort of three patients with PRS. Methods: We reviewed a series of infants with PRS and severe upper airway obstruction who underwent mandibular distraction. The infants underwent mandibular lengthening with the same internal, unidirectional distraction osteogenesis device. Standardized serial computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained according to established protocol. Computed tomography data were extracted and analyzed with medical image analysis software for mandibulo-maxillary arch harmony, symmetry, hypopharyngeal airway volume, geniohyoid distance, distraction osteogenesis bone volume, and mandibular length. Results: Mandibulo-maxillary alveolar ridge distances were corrected to 0.5 mm after distraction. Clinical examination showed good arch harmony without open-bite or cross-bite deformities. Mandibular ramus was lengthened by 19.5%; the body, 43.4%. After distraction, total mandibular length was increased by 26.2%; hypopharyngeal airway volume, 192%; posterior distance from pharyngeal wall to tongue base, 198.9%; and geniohyoid distance, 14.1%. Conclusions: Unidirectional internal microdistractors can achieve good mandibulo-maxillary arch harmony. Hypopharyngeal airway volume increases substantially, with an even greater increase in distance between tongue base and posterior pharyngeal wall. As the distal mandibular segment is distracted, the hyoid moves anteriorly, with minor increase in geniohyoid relationship. Internal mandibular microdistraction devices represent a substantial advance in airway obstruction management in infants with micrognathia. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source]


Carcinoma of the Tongue Base Treated by Transoral Laser Microsurgery, Part Two: Persistent, Recurrent and Second Primary Tumors

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 12 2006
David G. Grant MD
Abstract Objectives: To report the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of persistent, recurrent, and second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base. Study Design: A two-center prospective case series analysis. Methods: Twenty-five patients with persistent, recurrent, or second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base were treated with TLM between 1997 and 2005. Four (16%) patients with persistent disease at the primary site were considered TX. Eleven (44%) patients with recurrent disease were pathologically staged rT1 3/11, rT2 2/11, rT3 4/11, T4 1/11, and TX 1/11. Ten (40%) patients with second primary tumors were staged pT1, 4/10; pT2, 3/10; pT3, 2/10; and pT4, 1/10. Eight (32%) patients underwent neck dissection. Three (12%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Pre- and post-treatment organ function was assessed using a clinical Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS) and Communication Scale. Results: The mean follow-up period was 26 months. The 2-year Kaplan-Meier local control and locoregional control estimate was 69%. For those patients presenting with persistent/recurrent or second primary disease, the 2 year local control estimates were 75% and 68%, respectively. For all patients, the respective 2 and 5 year overall survival estimates were 54% and 26%. Two (8%) patients suffered postoperative hemorrhage. The average duration of hospitalization was 3.6 days. The median pretreatment and posttreatment FOSS stage was stage 2 and stage 3, respectively. Conclusions: Transoral laser surgery is a rational and effective treatment in appropriately selected patients with persistent, recurrent, or second primary tongue base cancer. The low morbidity and mortality and shortened duration of hospitalization associated with TLM make it an attractive therapeutic alternative. [source]


Hyoidthyroidpexia: A Surgical Treatment for Sleep Apnea Syndrome

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 4 2005
Cindy den Herder MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of primary hyoidthyroidpexia (HTP) and HTP after previous uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Study Design: Prospective case series. Methods: Thirty-one patients with obstruction at tongue base level and moderate to severe sleep apnea syndrome underwent HTP. Seventeen patients underwent surgery after an unsuccessful UPPP (secondary HTP), and in 14 patients, primary HTP was performed. Results: Patients who underwent primary HTP showed a significant decrease in apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (P = .007), whereas those patients who had secondary HTP did not (P = .06). Overall, the AHI significantly changed (P = .0005). Visual analogue scales for snoring and hypersomnolence and the Epworth sleepiness scores showed significant improvement for both groups, without any difference between them. HTP was considerably less painful when compared with UPPP. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that HTP, in particular as primary treatment in cases of obstruction at tongue base level, is a valuable addition to the therapeutic armamentarium of moderate to severe OSAS. Selection criteria are moderate to severe OSAS with preferably a body mass index less than 27, multilevel obstruction with emphasis on the base of tongue, small tonsils, and normal uvula, without a floppy epiglottis or a palatal stenosis after UPPP. [source]


Effectiveness of Multilevel (Tongue and Palate) Radiofrequency Tissue Ablation for Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 12 2004
David L. Steward MD
Abstract Objectives: The primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of multilevel (tongue base and palate) temperature controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The secondary objective is to compare multilevel TCRFTA to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Study Design and Methods: The study is a controlled case series of one investigator's experience with multilevel TCRFTA for patients with OSAS. Twenty-two subjects with mild to severe OSAS, without tonsil hypertrophy, completed multilevel TCRFTA (mean 4.8 tongue base and 1.8 palate treatment sessions) and had both pre- and posttreatment polysomnography. Primary outcomes included change from baseline in apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), daytime somnolence, and reaction time testing measured 2 to 3 months after TCRFTA. Secondary outcomes included change in other respiratory parameters, OSAS related quality of life, and upper airway size. Comparison of 18 patients treated with TCRFTA for mild to moderate OSAS (AHI > 5 and , 40) is made with 11 matched patients treated with nasal CPAP for mild to moderate OSAS. Results: Multilevel TCRFTA significantly improved AHI (P = .001), apnea index (P = .02), as well as respiratory and total arousal indices (P = .0002 and P = .01). Significant improvement with moderate or large treatment effect sizes were noted for OSAS related quality of life (P = .01) and daytime somnolence (P = .0001), with a trend toward significant improvement in reaction time testing (P = .06), with mean posttreatment normalization of all three outcome measures. Fifty-nine percent of subjects demonstrated at least a 50% reduction in AHI to less than 20. The targeted upper airway, measured in the supine position, demonstrated a trend toward significant improvement in mean cross sectional area (P = .05) and volume (P = .10). Side effects of TCRFTA were infrequent, mild, and self-limited. No significant correlation between pretreatment parameters and outcome improvement was noted. Nasal CPAP resulted in significant improvement in AHI (P = .0004) to near normal levels, with an associated improvement in OSAS related quality of life (P = .02) and a trend toward significant improvement in daytime somnolence (P = .06). Reaction time testing demonstrated no significant improvement (P = .75). No significant differences were seen for change in AHI, OSAS related quality of life, daytime somnolence, or reaction time testing between multilevel TCRFTA and CPAP. Conclusion: Multilevel (tongue base and palate) TCRFTA is a low-morbidity, office-based procedure performed with local anesthesia and is an effective treatment option for patients with OSAS. On average, abnormalities in daytime somnolence, quality of life, and reaction time testing demonstrated improvement from baseline and were normalized after treatment. Polysomnographic respiratory parameters also demonstrated significant improvement with multilevel TCRFTA. [source]


Isolated Plexiform Neurofibroma: Treatment with Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 7 2004
Thomas C. Robertson MD
Abstract Objectives: To present a case of an unusual benign tumor of the tongue treated successfully with radiotherapy. Study Design: Case report. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Results: A 60-year-old man presented with a painful submucosal lesion of the tongue base. Computed tomography showed an infiltrative soft-tissue mass involving the left base of the tongue. Operative biopsy revealed plexiform neurofibroma. Because of the patient's operative risk and the potential morbidity of surgical resection, he was treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). His treatment was accomplished using a five-field arrangement treating exclusively the mass lesion to a total tumor dose of 60 Gy. After treatment, the patient's tongue pain resolved, and he noted minimal transient xerostomia. Serial follow-up radiographic examinations showed the base of tongue mass to be slightly smaller 4 months after treatment. The most recent follow-up magnetic resonance image reveals a further decrease in size of the mass. The patient is now over 3 years out from treatment. Conclusions: Solitary plexiform neurofibroma of the tongue base is a rare tumor. These benign neoplasms are usually treated with either observation or surgical excision. This case demonstrates that, when significant symptoms necessitate active management, these lesions may be successfully treated with minimal morbidity using 3DCRT. The ability of this technique to deliver a conformal radiation dose to the tumor volume while sparing the surrounding normal tissues may expand the application of radiotherapy in the treatment of these benign lesions of the head and neck. [source]