Posttreatment surveillance for sinonasal malignancy

Real-Life Prognosis of Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal cancer represents a challenging disease because of its difficult diagnosis and different histology. Despite a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatments, a poor prognosis is still present. We retrospectively analyzed patients with sinonasal cancer treated in our institution, paying attention to histology and real-life prognosis.

METHODS

A total of 51 consecutive patients were included in the study. Clinical features were described. Overall, disease-free, and disease-specific survival (OS, DFS, DSS) according to histology were calculated. Kaplan-Meyer estimator curves were reported.

RESULTS

The most prevalent primary tumor was squamous cell carcinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma. Global 2- and 5-year OS was 68.80% and 54.58%, respectively. Global 2- and 5-year DFS was 48.53% and 29.56%, while global 2- and 5-year DSS was 82.86% and 74.57%, respectively. The median OS was 74 and 43 months for early- and late-stage cancer, respectively. The Cox multivariate regression analysis did not reveal any statistically significant effects of age, stage, or histology on survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis is often late and the prognosis poor. An appropriate treatment, which is always quite multimodal, allows us to achieve a global 5-year OS slightly higher than 50%. An adequate diagnosis to increase the percentage of early-stage tumors is mandatory to improve prognosis.

Algorithms of follow-up in patients with head and neck cancer in relation to primary location and advancement. Consensus of Polish ENT Society Board and Head Neck Experts

Summary

The algorithm of follow-up in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) has been prepared by a board of Polish Head Neck and Oncology Experts. The aim of this research is to focus on the specificity of HNC monitoring, to review the current trends in follow-up, and to adapt the evidence-based medicine international standards to the capabilities of the local healthcare service.

Materials and methods

The first methodological step was to categorize HNCs according to the estimated risk of failure after the adequate first-line treatment and according to the possibility of effective salvage treatment, resulting in improved overall survival. The final method used in this work was to prepare an authors' original monitoring algorithm for HNC groups with a high, moderate, and low risk of recurrence in combination with a high or low probability of using an effective salvage.

Results

Four categories were established: Ia. low risk of recurrence + effective organ preservation feasible; Ib. low risk of recurrence + effective salvage feasible; II. moderate risk of recurrence + effective salvage feasible; III. high risk of recurrence + effective salvage feasible; and IV. high risk of recurrence + no effective salvage feasible. Follow-up visit consisting of 1. ENT examination + neck ultrasound, 2. imaging HN tests, 3. chest imaging, 4. blood tests, and 5. rehabilitation (speech and swallowing) was scheduled with a very different frequency, at the proposed monthly intervals, tailored to the needs of the group. The number of visits for individual groups varies from 1 to 8 in the first 2 years and from 1 to 17 in the entire 5-year monitoring period. Group IV has not been included in regular follow-up, visits on own initiative of the patient if symptomatic, or supportive care needs, having in mind that third-line therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are available.

Conclusion

Universal monitoring algorithm for HNC four groups with a high, moderate, and low risk of recurrence after the adequate treatment in combination with a high or low probability of using an effective salvage is an innovative approach to redeploying system resources and ensuring maximum benefit for patients with HNC.

PET/CT Imaging in Treatment Planning and Surveillance of Sinonasal Neoplasms

Sinonasal cancers are uncommon malignancies with a generally unfavorable prognosis, often presenting at an advanced stage. Their high rate of recurrence supports close imaging surveillance and the utilization of functional imaging techniques. Whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT has very high sensitivity for the diagnosis of sinonasal malignancies and can also be used as a "metabolic biopsy" in the characterization of some of the more common subgroups of these tumors, though due to overlap in uptake, histological confirmation is still needed. For certain tumor types, radiotracers, such as 11C-choline, and radiolabeled somatostatin analogs, including 68Ga-DOTATATE/DOTATOC, have proven useful in treatment planning and surveillance. Although serial scans for posttreatment surveillance allow the detection of subclinical lesions, the optimal schedule and efficacy in terms of survival are yet to be determined. Pitfalls of 18F-FDG, such as post-surgical and post-radiotherapy crusting and inflammation, may cause false-positive hypermetabolism in the absence of relapse.

The contemporary management of cancers of the sinonasal tract in adults

Sinonasal malignancies make up <5% of all head and neck neoplasms, with an incidence of 0.5-1.0 per 100,000. The outcome of these rare malignancies has been poor, whereas significant progress has been made in the management of other cancers. The objective of the current review was to describe the incidence, causes, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and recent developments of malignancies of the sinonasal tract. The diagnoses covered in this review included sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, sinonasal adenocarcinoma, sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, and esthesioneuroblastoma, which are exclusive to the sinonasal tract. In addition, the authors covered malignances that are likely to be encountered in the sinonasal tract-primary mucosal melanoma, NUT (nuclear protein of the testis) carcinoma, and extranodal natural killer cell/T-cell lymphoma. For the purpose of keeping this review as concise and focused as possible, sarcomas and malignancies that can be classified as salivary gland neoplasms were excluded.

Interdisciplinary challenges and aims of flap or graft reconstruction surgery of sinonasal cancers: What radiologists and radiation oncologists need to know

In sinonasal cancer surgery, a fundamental challenge is to understand the postoperative imaging changes after reconstruction. Misinterpretation of post-operative imaging may lead to a misdiagnosis of tumor recurrence. Because radiotherapy planning is based on imaging, there are many gaps in knowledge to be filled in the interpretation of postoperative imaging to properly define radiotherapy tumor volumes in the presence of flaps. On the other hand, radiotherapy may be responsible for tissue fibrosis or atrophy, the anatomy of the reconstructed region and the functional outcomes may change after radiotherapy compared to surgery alone. This narrative review illustrates the interdisciplinary aims and challenges of sinonasal reconstructive surgery using flaps or grafts. It is particularly relevant to radiologists and radiation oncologists, at a time when intensity modulated radiotherapy and proton therapy have the potential to further contribute to reduction of morbidity.

Effect of p16 Status on Survival Outcomes in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the effect of p16 status on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) undergoing treatment with curative intent; and to assess how p16 status may affect patterns of recurrence.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary medical center.

METHODS

Patients with sinonasal SCC treated with curative intent from 2012 to 2018 were identified. Independent variable of interest was p16 status, which was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with a 70% staining cutoff for positivity. Kaplan Meier survival curve was plotted to assess correlation between p16 status and DFS and OS. Association between recurrence patterns and p16 status was conducted using chi square and fisher's exact tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to assess association between independent variables and DFS.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with sinonasal SCC met inclusion criteria. Patients were p16 positive in 28/50 (56%) of cases. Kaplan Meier survival curve revealed no statistically significant association between p16 status and DFS or OS survival (P = .780, P = .474). There was no difference in recurrence patterns in patients with p16 positive versus negative tumors.

CONCLUSION

p16 status did not have prognostic value on DFS and OS in our cohort of patients with sinonasal SCC undergoing treatment with curative intent. There was no difference in recurrence patterns between the 2 populations. Based on the results of this study, p16 status should not impact counseling of patients as it relates to their prognosis from SNM.

Flexible endoscopy in the visualization of 3D-printed maxillary sinus and clinical application

Background

During postoperative follow-up, the visible range of maxillary sinus (MS) is limited, even combining 0° and 70° rigid endoscopes together. Flexible endoscope has been used in larynx examinations for a long time, but rarely in nasal cavity and sinus. We aimed to evaluate the application values of rigid and flexible endoscopes for visualization of MS.

Methods

We followed up 70 patients with lesions in MS via both rigid and flexible endoscopes. In addition, we used thin-slice CT image of the sinus to create a MS model and divided it into two parts for 3D printing. The inner surface of the 3D-printed sinus was marked with grid papers of the same size (5 mm × 5 mm), then the visual range under rigid endoscopes with different angle and flexible endoscopes was calculated and analyzed.

Results

In clinical follow-up, we found that flexible endoscopy can reach where rigid endoscopy cannot, which is more sensitive than medical imaging. Endoscopes showed the largest observation range of the posterolateral wall, more than half of which can be visualized by 0° endoscope. Almost all of the posterolateral wall can be revealed under 45° endoscope, 70° endoscope and flexible endoscope. The visual range of each wall under flexible endoscope is generally greater than that under rigid endoscopes, especially of the anterior wall, medial wall and inferior wall.

Conclusion

There was obviously overall advantage of using flexible endoscope in postoperative follow-up of MS lesions. Flexible endoscopy can expand the range of observation, and improve the early detection of the recurrent lesion. We recommend flexible endoscope as a routine application.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-022-09410-8.

Imaging After Sinonasal Surgery

Posttreatment imaging evaluation of sinuses encompasses a wide gamut of procedures, ranging from endoscopic procedures for sinonasal inflammatory diseases to markedly radical surgeries for malignant neoplasms (with or without reconstructions), as well as providing access for surgeries involving the anterior and central skull base. Advances in both techniques and devices have expanded the use of endoscopic approaches in managing both benign and malignant lesions, in addition to being the primary surgical method for treating all medically refractive sinonasal inflammatory disorders. Familiarity with the complex anatomy in the sinonasal region and knowledge of the various procedures is indispensable in interpreting these imaging studies.

Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a Narrative Reappraisal of the Current Evidence

Simple Summary

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas are a group of diverse tumors affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. As a direct consequence of their rarity and heterogeneity, diagnosis is challenging, and treatment does not follow universally accepted protocols. Though surgery represents the mainstay of treatment, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies have pivotal roles in improving outcomes of patients treated with curative intent. Indications to endoscopic surgery have been expanding over the last three decades, but a considerable number of patients affected by sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma still need open surgical procedures. Management of the neck in patients affected by sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma is controversial. Curative-intended treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic tumors, alongside palliation of uncurable cases, represent poorly explored aspects of this disease.

Abstract

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma is a rare tumor affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Several aspects of this disease, ranging from epidemiology to biology, pathology, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and post-treatment surveillance are controversial, and consensus on how to manage this sinonasal cancer is lacking. A narrative literature review was performed to summarize the current evidence and provide the reader with available data supporting the decision-making process in patients affected by sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, alongside the authors’ personal opinion on the unsolved issues of this tumor. The review has highlighted several advances in molecular definition of epithelial cancers of the sinonasal tract. Surgery represents the pivot of treatment and is performed through an endoscopic transnasal approach whenever feasible. Open surgery is required for a large proportion of cases. Reconstruction of the defect follows principles of skull base and cranio-maxillo-facial reconstruction. Chemotherapy is given as neoadjuvant treatment or concomitantly to radiotherapy. Photon-based radiation therapy has a crucial role in the adjuvant setting. Particle therapy is providing promising results. Management of the neck should be planned based on the presence of clinically appreciable metastases, primary tumor extension, and need for recipient vessels. Biotherapy and immunotherapy are still underexplored therapeutical modalities.

Surgery with Post-Operative Endoscopy Improves Recurrence Detection in Sinonasal Malignancies

OBJECTIVE

The mainstay of treatment in sinonasal malignancy (SNM) is surgery, and when combined with chemoradiation therapy, often leads to the best overall prognosis. Nasal endoscopy is essential for post-treatment surveillance along with physical exam and radiologic evaluation. The ability to directly visualize the sinus cavities after surgery may also improve early detection of tumor recurrence and is another reason to potentially advocate for surgery in these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of medical records of patients with pathologically proven SNM was conducted from 2005 to 2019.

RESULTS

The nasal cavity and maxillary sinus were the most common primary tumor sub-sites. The most common pathology was squamous cell carcinoma (42%). The median time to recurrence was 9.8 months. Recurrence was initially detected endoscopically in 34.3% patients, by imaging in 62.7% patients, and by physical exam in 3.0% patients. 67 (29%) total recurrences were detected on follow-up, of which 46 (68.7%) were local. Twenty-three of the local recurrences were identified via nasal endoscopy. Thirteen recurrences were identified via endoscopic surveillance within the surgically patent paranasal sinuses while 13 were identified within the nasal cavity; 5 patients had multiple sites of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Local recurrence of SNM is the most common site for recurrent disease and nasal endoscopy identified half of these cases. 50% of these recurrences were within the paranasal sinuses and would not have been easily identified if the sinuses were not open for inspection. Thus, open sinus cavities aid in the detection of tumor recurrence and is another advantage of surgery in the management of SNM.

Extraprimary Local Recurrence of Esthesioneuroblastoma: Case Series and Literature Review

OBJECTIVES

Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is a rare sinonasal malignancy arising from olfactory neuroepithelium. Recurrence typically occurs locoregionally at the primary site or in the form of cervical metastasis. Delayed local recurrence away from the initial primary site is exceedingly rare.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 4 patients with histologically confirmed extraprimary local recurrence of ENB was performed with review of the literature.

RESULTS

All cases initially presented with ENB isolated to the cribriform plate(s) treated with primary surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. The first patient had ENB recurrence 8 years posttreatment involving the right orbit. She later developed metastases to the spine, neck, and mandible requiring composite resection and 4 courses of radiotherapy. The second patient had ENB recurrence of the dorsal septum 9 years posttreatment with cervical metastases requiring septectomy, bilateral neck dissection, and radiotherapy. The third patient had ENB recurrence 7 years posttreatment in the posterior nasopharynx requiring endonasal nasopharyngectomy. Finally, the fourth patient had ENB recurrence 12 years posttreatment in the sphenopalatine foramen, which was endoscopically resected. At the time of this review, all 4 patients were disease free at 32, 21, 4, and 24 months posttreatment follow-ups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This case series describes the rare phenomenon of delayed extraprimary local recurrence of histologically confirmed ENB. Treatment of extraprimary recurrences, analogous to other forms of ENB, should include primary surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy for generally favorable outcomes. Long-term close follow-up based on symptoms, endoscopy, and imaging is essential because of the risk of delayed recurrence.

Treatment-related morbidity in patients treated for sinonasal malignancy

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal malignancies are a rare, heterogeneous group of tumors that often present at an advanced stage and require multimodal therapy. The presence of high-grade toxicity and sinonasal complications after treatment can negatively impact quality of life. In this study we aim to describe posttreatment morbidity in patients with sinonasal malignancy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients treated for sinonasal malignancy was conducted from 2005 to 2018 at a tertiary referral institution. A total of 129 patients met the inclusion criteria. Primary outcomes were treatment details, pathology, posttreatment complications, and radiation toxicity. Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, and Student t test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Mean age was 58.4 (median, 61; range, 19-94) years. After diagnosis, 24 patients had surgery alone, 46 had surgery with radiation alone, 47 had surgery with chemoradiation, and 14 received definitive chemoradiation. Overall, 10.4% (n = 12) of patients had postoperative complications, and 21.0% (n = 22) had high-grade (grade 3-5) radiation toxicity. After radiation, 20% (n = 21) of patients had chronic sinusitis requiring functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 20% (n = 21) had symptomatic nasal obstruction requiring operative debridement.

CONCLUSION

Sinonasal complications, including nasal obstruction and chronic sinusitis, occur frequently after definitive treatment of sinonasal malignancy and should be addressed when considering quality of life in survivors. These complications occur more frequently in patients who undergo chemoradiation as opposed to surgery alone.

Appropriate timing of surveillance intervals with whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT following treatment for sinonasal malignancies

PURPOSE

To assess the ideal timing of posttreatment whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination as routine surveillance to determine local recurrence (R), lymph node metastasis (LM), and distant metastasis (DM) of sinonasal malignancies and to investigate the effect of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT on survival.

METHODS

An overall 80 patients who had undergone a total of 197 posttreatment whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examinations for sinonasal malignancy were retrospectively examined after institutional review board approval. Patients were grouped regarding the time intervals (<1 month, 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months and >18 months) after the conclusion of treatment. Differences in diagnostic accuracy due to different follow-up intervals were calculated by receiver operator curves (ROC) and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the prognostic value of surveillance ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.

RESULTS

Considering the time intervals of posttreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans, the negative predictive value and positive predictive value of the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examinations to predict overall recurrence in 1-3 months (100 and 100%, respectively) and >18 months (100 and 95%, respectively) were higher than for recurrence detection in <1 month (50 and 100%, respectively), 3-6 months (81 and 93%, respectively), 6-12 months (79 and 87%, respectively), and 12-18 months (75 and 80%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Positive findings on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were also independent predictors of poorer overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is capable of identifying recurrences following treatment, using an optimal time interval for scanning of 1-3 months and >18 months after therapy.

Surgical Outcomes of Endoscopic Versus Open Resection for Primary Sinonasal Malignancy: A Meta-analysis

Background

Endoscopic resection (ER) for uncommon sinonasal malignancies (SNMs) has been reported to confer superior surgical outcomes compared to open resection (OR) based on indirect comparisons of limited evidence.

Objective

The aim of this study was to pool all direct comparative studies in the literature to validate this potential superior association.

Methods

Systematic searches of 7 electronic databases from their inception to April 2019 were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. There were 1001 articles identified for screening. Outcomes of interest were pooled as risk ratios (RRs) and mean difference (MD) and analyzed using a random-effects model.

Results

There were 10 studies included in this meta-analysis, with 900 SNM patients in total where ER and OR were utilized in 399 (44%) and 501 (56%) cases, respectively. Compared to OR, random-effects (RE) modeling indicated ER resulted in statistically comparable complications (RR = 0.68; P-effect = .12) and recurrence (RR = 0.84; P-effect = .35). ER was associated with significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) compared to OR (MD = −2.9 days; P-effect <.01).

Conclusions

The use of ER to manage SNM was associated with significantly favorable reduction in LOS compared to OR. However, with respect to other surgical outcomes and recurrence, the current literature does not indicate either ER or OR as statistically superior. Therefore, until greater validation of these associations can be proven, expectations that ER for SNMs confers superior surgical outcomes compared to OR should be tempered.

Prediction of survival with combining quantitative 18 F-FDG PET/CT and DW-MRI parameters in sinonasal malignancies

BACKGROUND

We aimed to establish the prognostic value of ¹⁸ F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission/CT (¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT) and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI in determining overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of sinonasal malignancies.

METHODS

Sixty-eight patients with sinonasal cancer who underwent both pretreatment ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT scan and head-neck MRI from January 2009 through August 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT and DW-MRI parameters were performed for OS, PFS, and DMFS.

RESULTS

Cox regression analysis determined that all the quantitative ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT and DW-MRI parameters were independently correlated with PFS, DMFS, and OS (P < .05). After controlling for imaging variables, perineural invasion (P = .02) and ill-defined margin (P = .02) were found to be significantly correlated with shorter OS; while the perineural invasion was significantly correlated with shorter PFS (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

The pretreatment DW-MRI and ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT parameters could be substantial surrogate markers for sinonasal malignancies.

Utility of first positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan as a prognostic tool following treatment of sinonasal and skull base malignancies

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of the first posttreatment whole body integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning in patients with sinonasal/skull base malignancies is undetermined.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients that underwent surgery for sinonasal/skull base malignancies in 2000-2015. The results of the pretreatment and posttreatment PET/CT findings and the clinical course were retrieved.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients (average age 60.6 years, 20 males) were included. Sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the first PET/CT scan for predicting persistent/recurrent disease were 85.7%, 87.5%, 80%, and 91.3%, respectively. Overall 5-year survival was significantly lower in the first posttreatment PET/CT-positive group (35%) compared to the PET/CT-negative group (93%) (P = .0008).

CONCLUSION

Posttreatment PET/CT findings are highly prognostic in patients with sinonasal/skull base malignancies. Negative findings on the first posttreatment PET/CT scan predict a significantly better overall survival.

Unilateral endoscopic resection with transnasal craniectomy for sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinoma: A bi-institutional case-control study on 54 patients

OBJECTIVES

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the ethmoid mostly affects patients exposed to wood dust and has been traditionally treated with bilateral resection. The aim of the present study was to validate unilateral endoscopic resection with transnasal craniectomy (uERTC) in selected ITACs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients affected by ITAC receiving uERTC from 2004 to 2017 at two tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. A control group of patients treated with bilateral endoscopic resection with transnasal craniectomy (bERTC) was selected. Olfaction, taste, and quality of life were evaluated. Survival and functional outcomes in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients who underwent uERTC (case group: 27/54) or bERTC (control group: 27/54) were enrolled. The two groups were statistically comparable. Five-year overall (OS), disease-specific (DSS), recurrence-free (RFS) survivals, and local recurrence rates were not significantly different between groups. Hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the uERTC group (p = 0.0004) and no significant difference in terms of complications was demonstrated. The rate of subjective olfaction preservation was significantly higher in the uERTC group (45.5%) than in the bERTC group (0.0%) (p = 0.0007). Median 22-Items Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) values were not significantly different between groups. No significant association of olfaction and taste preservation/worsening with reconstructive technique, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

uERTC is an adequate surgical procedure for selected unilateral ITAC with similar survival rates and lower morbidity compared to bERTC. A rigorous follow-up of patients with ITAC is crucial and strongly recommended independently of the extent of resection.

Utility of FDG PET/CT in the Characterization of Sinonasal Neoplasms: Analysis of Standardized Uptake Value Parameters

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the contribution of different standardized uptake value (SUV) parameters generated from pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in the characterization of sinonasal neoplasms with histopathologic correlations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 97 consecutive patients (58 men, 39 women; age range, 20-93 years; mean age, 62 years) with pathologically proven untreated sinonasal neoplasms who underwent FDG PET/CT from February 2010 to August 2017. Semiquantitative analysis of primary tumors were performed to evaluate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean), and the ratio of the SUV_max of the primary tumor to the SUV_mean of mediastinal blood pool, which we refer to here as " SUV_ratio." Various sinonasal tumor histopathologic subgroups (n = 14) were analyzed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the SUV_max, SUV_mean, and SUV_ratio with the histopathologic diagnosis.

RESULTS

Mean values of SUV_max, SUV_mean, and SUV_ratio for the sinonasal neoplasms were 16.6 ± 9.7 (SD), 8.6 ± 5.1, and 5.9 ± 3.7, respectively, and each parameter was significantly different between histopathologic types (p < 0.05). Mean values of SUV_max, SUV_mean, and SUV_ratio were higher in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) than in olfactory neuroblastoma, metastasis, and adenoid cystic carcinoma (p < 0.05). Mean values of SUV_max and SUV_mean were higher in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) than in olfactory neuroblastoma and metastasis (p < 0.05). Also, mean SUV_max was higher in SCC and SNUC than in poorly differentiated carcinoma (p < 0.05). Mean SUV_ratio was higher in SCC than in small cell carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that different SUV parameters from FDG PET/CT can be used as so-called "metabolic biopsy" to categorize sinonasal neoplasms into different histopathologic subgroups because it can help in the characterization of some of the more common subgroups of sinonasal neoplasms. However, we found that there is overlap in FDG uptake values among some of the rare histologic subgroups; hence, surgical biopsy is still needed for differentiation of histologic subtypes of aggressive sinonasal masses.

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal tract: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is one of the most frequent sinonasal tumors, especially in European countries. The purpose of this article is to review the most recent literature, with special emphasis on biological and genetic profile and treatment guidelines.

RECENT FINDINGS

Results on large series support transnasal endoscopic surgery as the technique of choice in the large majority of patients with ITAC. Adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended in advanced-stage and high-grade lesions. More robust data are required to confirm that early-stage, low-grade lesions can be treated with exclusive surgery. The efficacy of new chemotherapy and biotherapy regimens and the added value of heavy particle radiotherapy are currently under evaluation. With a 5-year overall survival ranging between 53 and 83%, which is mainly impacted by local recurrences, ITAC requires a more detailed understanding of its biology. Genetic and biological studies have identified alterations in the molecular pathways of EGFR, MET, and H-RAS which might be considered as potential targets for biotherapy.

SUMMARY

Surgery still plays a key role in the treatment of ITAC, but multidisciplinary management is mandatory. Although further validation is needed, the role of nonsurgical treatment strategies is rising, in agreement with the progresses made in the biological profiling of the disease.

Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma: A 15-Year Single Institution Experience

Objective  Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is an aggressive neoplasm, with conflicting existing literature regarding prognosis and treatment due to the rarity of disease. Characterization of optimal SNUC management is necessary for improved outcomes. Study Design  Case series with planned data collection and analysis. Setting  Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital. Participants  Patients with pathologically confirmed SNUC treated within a 15-year period were identified, and records were obtained and evaluated for several demographic characteristics. Main Outcomes Measures  Disease-specific survival from diagnosis was the primary endpoint, while disease recurrence was a secondary endpoint of the study. Results  Twenty-seven patients with established SNUC were included in this cohort, with a median age of 55 years. Eighty-five percent of patients were surgically treated, and 85% of patients presented with stage IV disease. Two-year disease-specific survival was 66% and 5-year disease-specific survival was 46%. Ninety-six percent of patients received both chemotherapy and radiation as adjuvant treatment. Nodal disease at presentation and disease recurrence both significantly decreased patient survival ( p  < 0.05). Conclusions  The majority of patients at this institution presented with clinically advanced disease, and most were managed with a multimodal approach of surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation. Extent of disease at presentation and progression of disease following treatment are poor prognostic signs and may merit a more aggressive approach, while early detection and treatment may improve survival and decrease patient morbidity.

18FDG PET/CT in Routine Surveillance of Asymptomatic Patients following Treatment of Sinonasal Neoplasms

Objective Sinonasal neoplasms have a high rate of recurrence following treatment, and current guidelines support the use of a variety of surveillance techniques. Recent work demonstrates that performance parameters of surveillance modalities may differ with sinonasal tumors in particular when compared with head and neck tumors overall. This study aims to characterize the value of ¹⁸fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as a screening tool in asymptomatic patients. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania hospital. Methods Records of asymptomatic patients without suspicious endoscopy or suspicious imaging other than PET during the first 3 years following definitive treatment for sinonasal malignancy were screened and analyzed for inclusion in the cohort. Disease recurrence was determined by biopsy following suspicious PET evaluation. Results PET/CT scans (n = 111) were performed for 45 disease-free asymptomatic patients with no evidence of disease on endoscopy, and 6.3% were suspicious and prompted biopsy during this period, revealing 3 cases of disease recurrence. Overall specificity for PET/CT alone was 96.3% (95% CI, 90.7%-99.0%), with a negative predictive value of 99% (95% CI, 94.8%-100%). All recurrences were detected between 7 and 12 months, and all patients with true recurrence diagnosed by PET/CT had extrasinonasal involvement of tumor at the time of surgery. Conclusion We examined performance parameters of ¹⁸FDG PET/CT in asymptomatic patients with no evidence of disease on endoscopy during the posttreatment period for sinonasal malignancy. The ability of PET/CT to detect recurrences that may be missed by structural imaging or endoscopy makes it a valuable tool for clinicians.