Metastatic Neuroblastoma to the Mandible of Children: Report of Two Cases and Critical Review of the Literature

Impact of Early Diagnosis of Maxillofacial Metastases on Treatment and Patient Outcomes - A Retrospective Study

Introduction

Maxillofacial metastases from distant primary sites account for less than 1% of cancer in the head-and-neck region and are often misdiagnosed as benign or inflammatory conditions. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with maxillofacial metastases, treatment and outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Subjects with head-and-neck cancer were identified from the institutional database. Descriptive statistics were employed.

Results

Of 532 patients with head-and-neck cancer between 2008 and 2020, 15 (2.8%) had histologically verified metastatic lesions, of which 53.33% males with a mean age of 69 years. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 17 days (range: 7-60). The mandible was the most common location (40%), followed by the parotid gland (33.33%) and maxilla (13.33%). Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histology (60%), and half of the patients had extraoral manifestations. Tumour origin was gastrointestinal, lung (33.33% each), prostate (20%) and breast (13.3%). No predilection for tumour type or histology and location were seen. Radiographic features were non-specific, with computed tomography (CT) demonstrating periosteal reaction, bone expansion and lytic lesions and high variability in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) standardised uptake value (minimum: 2.0, maximum: 10.93 and mean: 4.14). Diagnosis led to altered treatment in 60%, more in extraoral than intraoral manifestations (71% vs. 37.5%); 40% received radiotherapy, 20% systemic treatment and none underwent surgery. Over half of the patients passed away within 6 months, median survival was 5 months, shorter in patients with intraoral than extraoral disease (3 vs. 13.2 months, P < 0.05).

Discussion

Maxillofacial metastases have elusive manifestations and often warrant specific treatment. Prospective data should evaluate associations between timely diagnosis and symptomatic improvement and survival.

Implementation of the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2022 paediatric guidelines in a child with mandibular metastasis

The 2022 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway differ significantly from prior guidelines, particularly regarding paediatric patients. These guidelines place new emphasis on establishing a multidisciplinary team led by an anaesthetist trained in paediatric anaesthesia. Here, we demonstrate the clinical application of the new guidelines by presenting the case of a 16-month-old girl with a rapidly growing mandibular mass. The new guidelines stipulated the need for multidisciplinary team assembly; planning with indirect laryngoscopy; the availability of surgical tracheostomy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; and multiple 'time out' stops to confirm team members and plans. The patient tolerated induction of general anaesthesia and mask-ventilation and tracheal intubation was achieved uneventfully on the first attempt. Her trachea was extubated uneventfully 5 days later. We emphasise the importance of paediatric anaesthesia training and videolaryngoscopy and discuss components of the 2022 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway with reference to a successful outcome in a paediatric difficult airway scenario.