Objective Advanced tongue cancer treated with total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation (TGLP) has a high risk of severe postoperative morbidity due to the loss of swallowing and articulation ability. The purpose of our work is to highlight the potential of the innervated gracilis musculocutaneous flap (IGMF) to permit a good quality of life in patients after undergoing this kind of surgery, particularly when associated with an adequate rehabilitation course. Methods We are presenting a cohort of 15 patients with T3 or T4 tongue cancer treated with TGLP and dynamic reconstruction with IGMF between 1998 and 2016. Functional outcome data were collected employing flexible endoscopic examination of swallowing, as well as swallowing and speech tests and questionnaires. Our reconstructive procedure was compared with different techniques described in the literature. Results In 13 out of 15 patients, a positive functional outcome was recorded, defined as the achievement of an adequate swallowing and speech ability. In two patients, the lack of success was caused by the flap's necrosis and death from early pulmonary metastasis. Of 13 patients, 12 were still alive after 2 years. Ten patients regained an independent feeding by mouth for normal food, whereas three patients continued percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy supplementation. After 40 months, all 13 patients displayed a moderately intelligible speech capability. Conclusion Although TGLP can have devastating morbid effects, an appropriate dynamic reconstruction—along with an adequate course of rehabilitation—can provide good swallowing and articulation outcomes, which permit a satisfactory long‐term quality of life. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:76–81, 2019
Imaging-guided percutaneous ablative treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation and microwave ablation (MWA), have been developed for the treatment of unresectable primary and secondary lung tumors in patients with advanced-stage disease or comorbidities contraindicating surgery. Among these therapies, MWA has recently shown promising results in the treatment of pulmonary neoplasms. The potential advantages of MWA over RFA include faster ablation times, higher intra-tumoral temperatures, larger ablation zones and lower susceptibility to the heat sink effect, resulting in greater efficacy in proximity to vascular structures. Despite encouraging results supporting its efficacy, there is a relative paucity of data in the literature regarding the role of computer tomography (CT) to monitor MWA-treated lesions, and the CT appearance of their morphologic evolution and complications. For both interventional and non-interventional radiologists, it is crucial to be familiar with the CT features of such treated lesions in order to detect incomplete therapy or recurrent disease at early stage, as well as to recognize initial signs of complications. The aim of this pictorial essay is to describe the typical CT features during follow-up of lung lesions treated with percutaneous MWA and how to interpret and differentiate them from other radiological findings, such as recurrence and complications, that are commonly encountered in this setting.
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