Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Persistent cough for many months.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male
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Subtle bilateral lung nodules, likely metastases.

Heart size normal. Normal mediastinal contours.

CXR showed several small opacities projected over the left upper zone, up to 1cm in diameter. Recently reported 2 week history of urinary frequency.

ultrasound
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
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Irregular solid left sided mass at the level of the hypopharynx.

It was amenable to percutaneous ultrasound guided biopsy. 

This study is a stack
Axial C+
arterial phase
This study is a stack
Axial lung
window
This study is a stack
Axial C+ portal
venous phase
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5.5cm left hypopharyngeal mass, partially destroying thyroid and cricoid cartilage and adjacent lymphadenopathy.

No significant mediastinal or axillary lymphadenopathy. 

Numerous nodules in both lungs consistent with pulmonary metastasis in the size range of 5-10 mm, largest nodule in the left upper lobe measuring 15 mm.

Normal liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, both kidneys and adrenals.

This study is a stack
Coronal
T1
This study is a stack
Coronal T2
fat sat
This study is a stack
Axial
T1
This study is a stack
Axial T2
fat sat
This study is a stack
Axial T1
C+ fat sat
This study is a stack
Coronal T1
C+ fat sat
This study is a stack
Sagittal T1
C+ fat sat
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Large tumor in the left side of the neck centered on the left hypopharynx, at the level of the vocal cords.  The tumor extends on to towards the pharynx infiltrating across the laryngeal apparatuse, to involve both sides of the thyroid lamina.  The tumor extends posteriorly along the prevertebral muscle and it crosses the midline by 1.5 cms.  Inferiorly, the tumor extends down into the pyriform fossa where it abuts the left side of the cervical esophagus.  Superiorly, it reaches the level of the palatine anteriorly, it extent crossed the posterior half of the thyroid lamina. Laterally, if partially encases the carotid bifurcation. 

Several pathological lymph nodes in the left lower neck, the largest measuring 2 cm. 

Multiple pulmonary metastases at the lung apices. 

 

Histopathology

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma - head and neck origin.

Case Discussion

Imaging appearances in keeping with a metastatic hypopharyngeal malignancy.

TMN staging : T4b (carotid bifurcation involvement), N3 (pathological nodes below the level of cricoid cartilage). M1.

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