Predictive factors for posterior triangle metastasis in HNSCC

Surgical modifications sparing uninvolved structures such as the spinal accessory nerve have been implemented since the advent of the radical neck dissection in 1906. The increased morbidity to the spinal accessory nerve involved with the dissection of level V lymph nodes has led to much controversy. In this study, we examine the incidence of nodal metastasis to all nodal levels involved with upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma and attempt to determine when level V dissection is indicated.

Retrospective chart review.

A study of all radical and modified radical neck dissections was performed at Louisiana State University - Shreveport Health Sciences Center and Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Hospital between 1996 and 2003 for upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine which neck and patient factors were significantly associated with level V metastasis.

Seventy-nine patients with a total of 94 neck dissections were analyzed. The prevalence of level V metastasis was 7.4% of the total neck dissections. Multivariate analysis found that positive lymph nodes involving levels II, III, and IV was the only independent significant factor for level V metastasis (P = .0003).

Our study is in concordance with other studies in the literature, revealing a low prevalence of level V metastasis in upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma. Unlike other studies, we have found if levels II, III, and IV lymph nodes are found to be positive, dissection of level V is warranted.