Deep Neck Infection: A Typical Presentation of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Deep neck infection is defined as an infectious process in the potential spaces and fascial plane of the neck which may result in a fatal complication. Prompt drainage and broad-spectrum antibiotics are the mainstays of treatment. Deep neck infection as the initial presentation of primary head and neck cancer is not common. Nevertheless, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the most common primary head and neck cancer, which could present with cervical metastasis and subsequently becomes infected. Papillary thyroid cancer has a naturally indolent course, and most patients present with a thyroid nodule. However, deep neck infection could be an uncommon presentation of papillary thyroid cancer which may obscure the diagnosis of underlying malignancy. This case report aims to present a rare presentation of papillary thyroid cancer which needs meticulous evaluation. Moreover, the pathological examination should be performed in all cases of deep neck infection for early detection and management of underlying papillary thyroid cancer.

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Deep neck infection as the main initial presentation of primary head and neck cancer

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215106000284 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 120 (4) ◽

pp. 305-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Cheng-Ping Wang ◽

Jenq-Yuh Ko ◽

Pei-Jen Lou

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Stage Iv ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Head And Neck Cancers ◽

Initial Presentation ◽

Deep Neck Infection ◽

Curative Therapy ◽

Neck Infection

Objectives: Primary head and neck cancer and deep neck infection are not uncommon, but deep neck infection as the initial presentation of primary head and neck cancer is rare and these patients risk potential misdiagnosis.Materials and methods: The records of 301 patients with deep neck infection and 3337 patients with primary head and neck cancers from 1990 to 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with primary head and neck cancers who had deep neck infection as their initial presentation were enrolled.Results: Seven patients were identified (six men and one woman). The median age was 64 years. All patients presented with painful, erythematous neck swelling and all image studies showed abscess formation. Four abscesses received needle aspiration and three received surgical drainage, which yielded malignant cells in four specimens. The primary origins of malignancies were the nasopharynx (two patients), oropharynx (two patients), hypopharynx (one patient), parotid gland (one patient) and maxillary sinus (one patient). All patients had stage IV disease. Only three patients could receive curative therapy and only one patient was disease-free after three years.Conclusion: We suggest that detailed history-taking, complete examination of the ENT field and pathological study of the infected tissue must be performed for patients with deep neck infection to enable early detection and prompt treatment of any underlying malignancy.

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Uncommon presentation of a common cancer papillary thyroid cancer in paediatric population

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-11-2011-5203 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 (nov16 1) ◽

pp. bcr1120115203-bcr1120115203

Author(s):

S. Lodha ◽

C. Bhatt

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽

Paediatric Population ◽

Papillary Thyroid ◽

Common Cancer ◽

Uncommon Presentation

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Second primary thyroid cancer following index head and neck cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2018.36.15_suppl.6060 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 6060-6060

Author(s):

Katherine M. Polednik ◽

Matthew C Simpson ◽

Eric Adjei Boakye ◽

Kahee A. Mohammed ◽

Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Second Primary

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Thyroid Cancer Discovered Incidentally during Treatment for an Unrelated Head and Neck Cancer

Annals of Surgery ◽

10.1097/00000658-196605000-00002 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 163 (5) ◽

pp. 665-671 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

R. Lee Clark ◽

Robert C. Hickey ◽

James J. Butler ◽

Michael L. Ibanez ◽

Alando J. Ballantyne

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer

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Radiation and Second Primary Thyroid Cancer Following Index Head and Neck Cancer

The Laryngoscope ◽

10.1002/lary.27467 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 129 (4) ◽

pp. 1014-1020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katherine M. Polednik ◽

Matthew C. Simpson ◽

Eric Adjei Boakye ◽

Kahee A. Mohammed ◽

John J. Dombrowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Second Primary

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Head and Neck Cancer: Underfunded and Understudied?

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599816674672 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 156 (1) ◽

pp. 10-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Peter F. Svider ◽

Michael A. Blasco ◽

S. Naweed Raza ◽

Mahdi Shkoukani ◽

Ammar Sukari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Early Stage ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Grant Applications

Despite a considerable expansion in our therapeutic repertoire for management of other malignancies, mortality from head and neck cancer (HNC) has not significantly improved in recent decades. Upon normalizing National Institutes of Health–awarded R01 and R01-equivalent grants by incidence, thyroid cancer ($214) and HNC ($1329) received the fewest funding dollars. Upon adjusting funding totals by mortality, HNC was 7th out of 9 cancers evaluated ($6138). These findings highlight HNC as an underfunded disease versus other cancers. As data detailing grant applications (including unsuccessful grants) are not publicly available, it is not clear if these disparities stem from fewer applications or fewer opportunities. Our hope is that this commentary will spur further investigation into strategies to increase HNC inquiry and funding for trainees as well as early-stage and established investigators.

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