To assess the incidence and to review experience with the treatment of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) in Slovenia between 1985 and 2013. The National Cancer Registry database and clinical records with outcome data of identified patients treated during the period 1985–2013 in Slovenia were reviewed. In a 29-year period, 61 patients with MMHN were identified, representing 0.5 % of all head and neck malignant tumors and 42 % of all mucosal melanomas in Slovenia. 72 % originated in the sinonasal tract and were predominantly (78 %) diagnosed as a local disease. Regional metastases at diagnosis were more frequent in patients with oral/oropharyngeal primary (44 %; sinonasal MMHN 11 %, p = 0.006). Curative intent treatment was given to 48 (79 %) patients. The overall survival (OS) rates at 2 and 5 years for the whole cohort were 43 % and 18 %, respectively, and for the curative intent group 53 % and 24 %, respectively. In the latter group, multivariate analyses showed postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) to be predictive for locoregional control (LRC) (hazard ratios [HR] for surgery with PORT vs. surgery alone: 1.0 vs. 3.9, p = 0.037), whereas only the World Health Organization performance status (HR for grade 0 vs. grade 1 vs. grade >1: 1.0 (p = 0.022) vs. 1.2 (p = 0.640) vs. 7.7 (p = 0.008)) significantly influenced OS. MMHN is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Combination of surgery and PORT offers the best prospects for LRC but without improvement of OS. Due to potential toxicity of high-dose RT such treatment is indicated in patients in whom LRC outweighs the risks of serious adverse effects.

Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are among the most common cancers. The poor survival rate among oral cancer patients can be attributed to several factors, one of them being lack of early detection. A key approach to this problem would be to detect potentially malignant lesion at their early stage. Using the FISH technique, oral brush cytology slides can be an easy and rapid screening approach for malignant cell detection. The present study was designed to detect hTERC and SOX2 amplifications in OSSC exfoliative tumor cells and evaluate whether those two gene amplifications might serve as a supportive biomarker in early detection and diagnosis of oral and oropharyngeal SCC.

Choanal atresia is the most common congenital anatomical abnormality of the nasal cavities, manifested with a clinical picture of neonatal respiratory distress. The treatment requires interdisciplinary management based mainly on tertiary referral centre experiences. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence in the available literature. Recommendations were prepared based on a systematic review of the supporting literature: on a website survey addressed to the participating authors consisting of 28 questions and on five live meetings. The initial response to the recommendations was determined at their presentation at the sectional meeting of the section for otorhinolaryngology of the Slovenian Medical Association. Then, reactions from the professional public were accepted until the recommendations were presented at the Expert Council for Otorhinolaryngology of the Slovenian Medical Association. A systematic literature review identified eight systematic reviews or meta-analyses and four randomized controlled clinical trials. Thirty-four recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and postoperative management were consolidated. The paper presents the proposal and first Slovenian recommendations for treating patients with choanal atresia. They are based on foreign medical institutions’ published literature and our clinical experience. They represent the basic requirements of diagnostics and may represent an essential guide in treatment.

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the head and neck are rare and the experience scanty. The Cancer Registry of Slovenia database was used to identify cases of laryngeal and pharyngeal NECs diagnosed between 1995–2020. Biopsies were analyzed for the expression of standard neuroendocrine markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin, CD56), INSM1, Ki-67, p16, and PD-L1 (using the combined positive score, CPS). In situ hybridization for human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was performed. Twenty patients (larynx, 12; pharynx, 8) were identified. One tumor was well differentiated (WD), five were moderately differentiated (MD), and 14 were poorly differentiated (PD). Disease control was achieved solely by surgery in 4/4 MD/PD T1-2N0-1 tumors. Eight patients died of the disease, seven of which were due to distant metastases. All three traditional markers were positive in 11/17 NECs and the INSM1 marker in all 20 tumors. Two of fourteen p16-positive tumors were HPV-positive, but all three nasopharyngeal NECs were EBV-negative. Three tumors had CPSs ≥ 1. In conclusion, INSM1 was confirmed to be a reliable marker of neuroendocrine differentiation. Except in WD and early-stage MD/PD tumors, aggressive multimodal therapy is needed; the optimal systemic therapy remains to be determined. p16, HPV, and EBV seem to bear no prognostic information.

Background/Objectives: Deep neck space infections (DNSIs) in children, particularly parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses, pose a significant risk due to their ability to cause airway obstruction. The management of these infections in children differs from that in adults, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management of pediatric DNSIs. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients (≤16 years) diagnosed with deep neck space infections between 2002 and 2022. A total of 266 cases were identified using ICD-10 codes, of which eight patients (3%) had para- or retropharyngeal abscesses. The clinical presentation, imaging modalities, airway management, and surgical approaches were analyzed. Results: Children with parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal abscesses had a mean age of 5.2 years, being significantly younger than those with peritonsillar abscesses (mean age: 13.5 years). The most common symptoms were a high fever (100%) and torticollis (63%). All patients underwent initial ultrasound (US), but a definitive diagnosis required contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. Seven patients (87.5%) underwent surgical drainage, with the decision to perform an incision dictated by the location of the abscess relative to vascular structures. Image-guided navigation facilitated minimally invasive transpharyngeal drainage in four cases. Postoperatively, six patients required prolonged intubation due to airway edema or surgical site management. One patient was successfully managed conservatively with antibiotics. Conclusions: DNSIs in children require prompt diagnosis and a tailored surgical approach. Imaging plays a crucial role in the localization of the abscess, with MRI preferred for detailed soft tissue assessment. Airway management is critical, and minimally invasive, image-guided techniques improve the precision of surgery. Multidisciplinary care optimizes patient outcomes.