Oncologic Emergencies in the Head and Neck

Carlos Zamora; Mauricio Castillo; Paulo Puac-Polanco; Carlos Torres

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2022.08.002

Oncologic Emergencies in the Head and Neck

Radiol Clin North Am. 2023 Jan;61(1):71-90. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2022.08.002.

Authors

Carlos Zamora¹, Mauricio Castillo², Paulo Puac-Polanco³, Carlos Torres⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division Head of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, CB 7510, Old Infirmary Building, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7510, USA. Electronic address: carlos_zamora@med.unc.edu.
² Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, CB 7510, Old Infirmary Building, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7510, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, McMaster University, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiology, Juravinski Innovation Tower, Level 0, Room T0113, 50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4A6, Canada.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics, University of Ottawa, Box 232, General Campus Room 1466e, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada.

PMID: 36336393
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2022.08.002

Abstract

Patients with head and neck cancers are susceptible to emergencies related to tumor infiltration, systemic disorders, or treatment. Computed tomography plays a major role in imaging assessment and MRI provides further characterization. Hematologic disorders may lead to hemorrhage, thrombosis, or ischemia. Patients are susceptible to metabolic derangements that are often not recognized. Complications in the neck are threatening due to compromise of vascular structures and airway.

Keywords: CT; Cancer; Emergencies; Head; MRI; Neck.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Emergencies
Head / diagnostic imaging
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / complications
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Neck / diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed