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Updated: Aug 8, 2025

A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Pattern of nodal metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the temporal bone
Justin M Hintze1,2,3, Isobel O'Riordan2,3, Holly Jones1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Beaumont Hospital Dublin Ireland.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to explore the pattern of lymph-node spread of SCCs involving the temporal bone.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all cutaneous SCCs involving the temporal bone over a 20-year time-period. Forty-one patients were eligible.
Results:
Mean age was 72.8 years. The diagnosis was cutaneous SCC in all cases.All patients underwent a temporal bone resection, 70.7% had a neck-dissection and 78.0% a parotidectomy.Level 2 was the most common area of neck metastasis, and occurred in 12.2%. The parotid had disease in 34.1%. 51.2% of patients underwent free-flap reconstruction.Mean overall survival of the cohort was 4.2 years.
Conclusions:
Overall, the rate of cervical nodal metastasis was 22.0% and 13.5% in the occult setting. The parotid was involved in 34.1% and 10.0% in the occult setting. Results from the present study support consideration for performing a parotidectomy at the time of temporal bone resection, while a neck dissection can be performed for adequate staging of the nodal basin.
Level Of Evidence:
3.
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