Resection and replacement of the carotid artery in metastatic head and neck cancer: literature review and case report

When Everything Revolves Around Internal Carotid Artery: Analysis of Different Management Strategies in Patients With Very Advanced Cancer Involving the Skull Base

Internal or common carotid artery encasement (CAE) is observed in almost 2-7% of head and neck cancers (HNC) and designates the tumor with the T4b category. This clinical scenario is associated with a dismal prognosis, owing to the risk for thrombosis and bleeding that usually characterizes such an advanced cancer. Standardized radiological criteria to infer invasion of the carotid artery are lacking. Complete surgical resection in the context of a multimodality treatment is supposed to offer the greatest chances of cure. Surgery can either be carotid-sparing or include carotidectomy. Data on probability of cerebrovascular and non-cerebrovascular complications, risk of carotid blowout, poor oncologic outcomes, and less-than-certain efficacy of diagnostic and interventional preventive procedures against cerebral infarction make it difficult to define surgery as the recommended option among other therapeutic strategies. Non-surgical therapies based on radiation therapy possibly combined with chemotherapy are more frequently employed in HNC with CAE. In this context, carotid blowout is the most feared complication, and its probability increases with tumor stage and cumulative radiation dose received by the vessel. The use of highly conformal radiotherapies such as intensity-modulated particle therapy might substantially improve the manageability of HNC with CAE by possibly reducing the risk of late sequalae. Despite evidence is frail, it appears logical that a case-by-case evaluation through multidisciplinary decision making between head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, and vascular surgeons are of paramount value to offer the best therapeutic solution to patients affected by HNC with CAE.

Malignant meningioma with jugular vein invasion and carotid artery extension: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Grade II and III meningiomas [World Health Organization (WHO) classification] rarely have extracranial metastases via the blood circulation; however, we experienced a case with a metaplastic atypical meningioma and local de-differentiation that metastasized to the jugular vein, carotid artery and subclavian artery at the cervicothoracic junction. Such cases have seldom been reported before.

CASE SUMMARY

The patient was a 30-year-old man who developed right neck masses with dysphagia, labored breathing, dizziness, and occasional earaches. Eight months earlier the patient was diagnosed with a right parietal lobe neoplasm and hemorrhage at a local hospital due to the sudden onset of headaches and left limb weakness, and the post-operative pathology was a metaplastic atypical meningioma (WHO grade II) with local de-differentiation (WHO III). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a calcified mass at the root of the neck on the right and a large cystic mass in the right parapharyngeal space. Head and neck angiography showed that the right common carotid artery was compressed and completely occluded, and the jugular vein was enveloped by the tumor and occluded. A balloon occlusion test showed no perfusion in the right common carotid artery. Tumor resection, carotid artery ligation, and subclavian artery reconstruction were performed. The tumor was a malignant meningioma. Post-operatively, the patient had Horner's syndrome and hoarseness.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of the link between a large cervical mass and a primary intracranial tumor. Malignant meningioma should not be considered merely as an intracranial metastasis spread through cerebrospinal fluid, it can also be transferred through the circulation to the parapharyngeal space and the cervical great vessels.

Sacrifice and extracranial reconstruction of the common or internal carotid artery in advanced head and neck carcinoma: Review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sacrifice and reconstruction of the carotid artery in cases of head and neck carcinoma with invasion of the common or internal carotid artery is debated.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases and provide a review and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 72 articles identified, 24 met the inclusion criteria resulting in the inclusion of 357 patients. The overall perioperative 30-day mortality was 3.6% (13/357). Permanent cerebrovascular complications occurred in 3.6% (13/357). Carotid blowout episodes were encountered in 1.4% (5/357). The meta-regression analysis showed a significant difference in 1-year overall survival between reports published from 1981-1999 (37.0%) and 2001-2016 (65.4%; P = .02).

CONCLUSION

This review provides evidence that sacrifice with extracranial reconstruction of common or internal carotid artery in selected patients with head and neck carcinoma may improve survival with acceptable complication rates. However, all of the published literature is retrospective involving selected series and, therefore, precludes determining the absolute effectiveness of the surgery.

Histological Assessment of the Carotid Sheath in Patients With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE

During surgical management of the neck using various types of neck dissection, the carotid sheath is removed, in particular, the part adjacent to the jugular lymph node chain, with the intention of preventing recurrence from the lymphatics present within it. The role of the carotid sheath as a potential origin for nodal recurrence has not been proved thus far. Working in a tissue plane between the carotid sheath and the neurovascular structures of the neck can lead to a greater chance of damage to these structures. Also, the carotid sheath is a strong fibroelastic tissue barrier that shields the internal jugular vein and carotid artery from saliva and local infection during the postoperative period. Thus, this study investigated the histopathology of the carotid sheath in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and assessed the pathologic infiltration of the carotid sheath when grossly uninvolved.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Pathologic infiltration and histopathologic characteristics of the entire length of the carotid sheath were assessed in 30 biopsy-proved cases of OSCC; these patients underwent surgical excision of the lesion in addition to neck dissection from 2013 to 2015 in the craniofacial unit of the authors' institution.

RESULTS

The carotid sheath consisted of fibrofatty tissue and interspersed nerve bundles. Neutrophilic infiltration and dilated lymphatic channels were seen in all 30 cases. Miniature lymph nodes adherent to the carotid sheath were seen in 5 cases and some lymphoid aggregates were seen in 15 cases. The carotid sheath in all 30 cases (metastatic and nonmetastatic) was free from tumor deposit and lymphatic tumor emboli, which are indicators of tumor cell infiltration.

CONCLUSION

Indicators of tumor cell infiltration were not found in any of the 30 cases. The result did not vary with the age or gender of the patient, tumor size, location, staging or grading of the tumor, or even when there were metastatic lymph nodes in the gross specimen. Hence, the role of the carotid sheath as a potential origin for nodal recurrence is questionable and its removal needs reconsideration.

Sacrificing the internal carotid artery in infiltrating neck tumours: a study of four clinical cases

Tumour infiltration of the carotid arteries, especially the common carotid artery (CCA) and the internal carotid artery (ICA), is a great challenge in maxillofacial surgery. Cases in which the malignant tumour and/or lymph node is stuck to the carotid artery, especially the ICA, have previously been considered inoperable. Four such cases, two with recurrent metastatic nodal neck masses encasing the ICA, one with aggressive fibromatosis, and one with a carotid body tumour, are described herein. Successful resection of the mass along with the ICA was performed in all cases after a positive balloon occlusion test. All patients made an uneventful recovery with no signs or symptoms of any neurological deficits. In addition, all of the patients were free of disease for the whole postoperative period of 18 months.

Advantages of superficial femoral vein grafts for carotid artery reconstruction following carotid artery resection in the treatment of head and neck cancer

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction of the carotid artery using the superficial femoral vein (SFV) is very effective due to the ease in harvesting the vessel and its optimal size and length for carotid artery replacement.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of carotid artery reconstruction using the SFV.

METHODS

Ten patients with malignant tumors involving the carotid artery underwent carotid artery resection followed by reconstruction with the SFV. The SFV between the deep femoral vein and branches to the great saphenous vein and deep femoral vein at the popliteal region was used as a reconstructive vessel.

RESULTS

The mean length and diameter of the grafted SFVs were 13.9 cm and 11.2 mm, respectively. The mean time for acquisition of SFV was 18 min. Ultrasonography measurements indicated that the mean lumen diameter of the common carotid artery was 8.37 mm. None of the patients experienced any permanent neurologic complications. The 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 60% and 40%, respectively. En bloc resection of the cancer and involved carotid artery followed by reconstruction with the SFV provides effective locoregional control. Our results indicated no postoperative vascular graft thrombosis and no donor site complications.

Value of MR and CT Imaging for Assessment of Internal Carotid Artery Encasement in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective. This study was conducted to assess the value of CT and MR imaging in the preoperative evaluation of ICA encasement. Methods. Based upon three patient groups this study was performed. Retrospective analysis of 260 neck dissection reports from 2001 to 2010 was performed to determine unexpected peroperative-diagnosed encasement. Two experienced head and neck radiologists reviewed 12 scans for encasement. Results. In four out of 260 (1.5%) patients undergoing neck dissection, preoperative imaging was false negative as there was peroperative encasement of the ICA. Of 380 patients undergoing preoperative imaging, the radiologist reported encasement of the ICA in 25 cases. In 342 cases no encasement was described, 125 of these underwent neck dissection, and 2 had encasement peroperatively. The interobserver variation kappa varied from 0.273 to 1 for the different characteristics studied. Conclusion. These retrospectively studied cohorts demonstrate that preoperative assessment of encasement of the ICA using MRI and/or CT was of value in evaluation of ICA encasement and therefore contributively in selecting operable patients (without ICA encasement), since in only 1.5% encasement was missed. However, observer variation affects the reliability of this feature.

Treatment of recurrent head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery: carotid reconstruction with ePTFE graft

The aim of our study is to investigate the feasibility of reconstructing the carotid artery using expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) in patients with recurrent head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery. Ten patients, who had recurrent head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery, received carotid artery resection and reconstruction with ePTFE, tissue defects were repaired by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Results show that eight patients did not present any vascular and neurologic complications. One patient presented slight hemiparesis, another patient developed wound infection and pharyngocutaneous fistula. The mean follow-up period was 33.1 ± 16.0 months. The 2-year survival rate was 50% (5/10), and there was one patient who survived for 60 months without locoreginal recurrence or distant metastasis. En bloc resection of tumor and involved carotid-associated ePTFE reconstruction provide effective improvement in the locoregional control of the recurrent head and neck carcinoma. The pedicle pectoralis major myocutaneous flap can provide not only wound bed with affluent blood supply for the vascular grafts, but also reparation of skin or the tissue defects of oropharynx and hypopharynx.

Carotid artery resection and reconstruction with superficial femoral artery transplantation: a case report

Introduction

Managing advanced head and neck cancer is often a difficult task, particularly when massive invasion of the carotid artery is present. However, en bloc resection can be a curative procedure, and reconstruction of the carotid artery limits the risk for stroke. The aim of this study was to describe the interest, indication, potential risks, and methods by which we carried out resections as well as reconstructions of the carotid artery using superficial femoral artery transplantation.

Subjects and Methods

We presented one case of en bloc resection of the carotid artery with reconstruction with superficial femoral artery transplantation.

Results

Postoperative care was uneventful. The patient did not suffer from neurological deficiency. After three years of follow-up, the patient survived without any cancer recurrence.

Conclusion

The occurrence of massive cancer invasion into the carotid artery should not be a contraindication for surgery. En bloc resection of the carotid artery with revascularization using the superficial femoral artery allows for appropriate control of the cancer, and carries an acceptable level of neurological risk.