Transoral endoscopic ultrasonic surgery (TOUSS) in head & neck unknown primary carcinoma investigation

Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp (Engl Ed). 2023 May-Jun;74(3):192-197. doi: 10.1016/j.otoeng.2022.10.001. Epub 2022 Oct 12.

Abstract

Metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) to cervical lymph nodes represents less than 5% of all head and neck malignancies. Recent publications support the use of transoral surgery during the diagnosis work-up, and transoral endoscopic ultrasonic surgery represent a recently described alternative technique in transoral surgery. A pilot study to assess the feasibility of trans-oral ultrasonic base of tongue (BOT) mucosectomy and bilateral tonsillectomy approach in CUP diagnosis work-up was conducted. Ten patients were included consecutively. In 2 cases (20%) the primary was found, in one case in the right tonsil, and another one in the left BOT. According to our results, the use of trans-oral ultrasonic surgery to perform the base of tongue mucosectomy and bilateral tonsillectomy in CUP patient's during the diagnosis work-up represents an effective option in patients with good anatomical exposure.

Keywords: Amigdalectomía; Cirugía; HPV; Primario desconocido; Surgery; Tonsillectomy; Transoral; Unknown primary; VPH.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma*
  • Humans
  • Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery* / methods
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary* / etiology
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary* / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary* / surgery
  • Pilot Projects
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures* / methods
  • Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures*
  • Ultrasonics