The initial evaluation of patients with malignant tumors of the head and neck must include an attempt to determine the presence or absence of distant metastases so that the patient's tumor can be accurately staged and appropriate treatment planned. To determine the value of routine bone and liver scans in detecting distant metastases, the records of 169 patients with head and neck carcinoma, on whom such scans were performed, were reviewed retrospectively.

As the newer high volume low pressure endotracheal tube cuffs have replaced the high pressure cuffs commonly used in the past, there has been a marked decline in the incidence of severe complication due to cuff injury. Studies have shown, however, that the respiratory epithelium of the trachea at the cuff site undergoes squamous metaplasia following prolonged intubation with low pressure cuffs. An experimental model utilizing the canine trachea has been developed to study cuff induced squamous metaplasia and the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of the induced squamous metaplasia on tracheal mucous velocity as well as to determine whether the induced epithelial changes are reversible following removal of the cuffed tube.

A review of submaxillary gland neoplasms over a 21 year period revealed 15 malignancies and 7 benign tumors. All of the malignancies occurred in females, and 11 of these were adenoid cystic carcinoma. Two of the 11 were found to have infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast (1 pre and 1 postdiagnosis of the submaxillary carcinoma) and 3 had benign breast disease. While previous reports have suggested an association of parotid gland neoplasia and breast cancer, this is the first known report of an association between adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submaxillary gland and cancer of the breast. The discussion of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submaxillary gland emphasizes the increased frequency of this disease in females, its association with breast disease, and also experimental submaxillary gland neoplasia.

No abstract

Clinical reports cite the development of squamous metaplasia in tracheas following tracheostomy, laryngectomy, and cuffed intubation. The purpose of this study was (1) to develop an experimental model using the dog trachea and study the effects of prolonged cuffed intubation and (2) to determine whether squamous metaplasia is produced by prolonged contact of the endotracheal cuff with the tracheal mucosa. Modifications of widely used high-volume, low-pressure 8-mm endotracheal tubes were made with the distal portion of the tube, its cuff, and the inflating catheter attached. This model formed an implantable cuffed tube approximately 8 cm in length. The dogs remained intubated for 14 days, at which time they were killed; seven animals were available for histologic study. Varying degrees of squamous metaplasia were produced in all animals.