Osteosarcoma of the skull base: case report and review of literature.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone in children and adolescents. Osteosarcomas are an aggressive neoplasm composed of spindle cells producing osteoid. They primarily affect the long bones, particularly after radiation or chemotherapy for other neoplasms; however, 6-7% present in the head and neck. Primary head and neck osteosarcomas in children are rare. There are few case reports and limited-sized case series in the literature. A case report presentation of a skull base osteosarcoma in a teenage female. A 14-year-old African American female presented with dysphagia, voice changes, and neck pain. On examination, she had right-sided palsies in cranial nerves X, XI, and XII. Imaging revealed partial enhancement of the clivus without bony erosion and expansion of the hypoglossal canal. There were also findings consistent with chronic denervation of her right tongue and pharynx. During the evaluation process, she developed diplopia from a right cranial nerve VI palsy. Repeat imaging revealed progression of the skull base lesion with extension into the right sphenoid sinus. An endoscopic sphenoidotomy was performed to obtain tissue. The diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma was made by histologic morphology and immunohistochemistry. The child was treated primarily with chemotherapy. Other adjunctive therapies are being considered. Osteosarcoma of the skull base is a rare entity. We describe a case of a high-grade clival osteosarcoma presenting primarily with lower cranial nerve palsies and pain. The rapid progression, treatment options, and prognosis are discussed

Pediatric intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery: A review from the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section and the International Neural Monitoring Study Group

Children are more likely to experience recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) may assist in nerve identification and surgical decision making. A literature review of pediatric IONM was performed and used to inform a monitoring technique guide and expert opinion statements. Pediatric IONM is achieved using a variety of methods. When age-appropriate endotracheal tubes with integrated surface electrodes are not available, an alternative method should be used. Patient age and surgeon experience with laryngoscopy influence technique selection; four techniques are described in detail. Surgeons must be familiar with the nuances of monitoring technique and interpretation; opinion statements address optimizing this technology in children. Adult IONM guidelines may offer strategies for surgical decision making in children. In some cases, delay of second-sided surgery may reduce bilateral RLN injury risk

Pediatric intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery : a review from the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section and the International Neural Monitoring Study Group

Children are more likely to experience recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) may assist in nerve identification and surgical decision making. A literature review of pediatric IONM was performed and used to inform a monitoring technique guide and expert opinion statements. Pediatric IONM is achieved using a variety of methods. When age-appropriate endotracheal tubes with integrated surface electrodes are not available, an alternative method should be used. Patient age and surgeon experience with laryngoscopy influence technique selection; four techniques are described in detail. Surgeons must be familiar with the nuances of monitoring technique and interpretation; opinion statements address optimizing this technology in children. Adult IONM guidelines may offer strategies for surgical decision making in children. In some cases, delay of second-sided surgery may reduce bilateral RLN injury risk