Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
7-5-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
7-5-2024 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction
Head and Neck Lymphedema develops most commonly as a secondary effect of cancer and its treatment (Banjdar). The head and neck, or cervical, region contains an intricate network of over 300 lymph nodes and serves as a critical component of the body’s immune system (Peach). Head and cervical lymph nodes are often combined in a total number, therefore this study focused primarily on quantifying the ranges of lymph nodes that are specifically in the cervical region. Knowledge of the anatomic relationships of the lymphatic nodal levels and the structures they drain is critical in the delivery of appropriate therapy in many patients with cancers of the head and neck (Koroulakis). Knowing more precise ranges can assist in predicting the likelihood of developing lymphedema and the prognosis with therapy.
Methods
In the cadaver lab at PCOM Georgia, our team used human cadavers and dissected lymph nodes in the neck regions, specifically the anterior, lateral, submandibular, internal jugular, and supraclavicular regions of the neck. Data was collected from a total of 107 cadavers with 74 meeting set minimums per region over the course of three years (2020-2023) for this study. Quantitative analysis of the head and neck region lymph nodes was conducted on the collected data using standard statistical methods such as excel and JMP.
Results
Power analysis was performed to evaluate the sample size of the data and revealed a power of 57.93% for data regarding the anterior region, 95.40% for the internal jugular region, 99.6% for the lateral region, 99.3% for the submandibular region, and 85.50 % for the submental region. There was a mean total range of lymph nodes of 4-6 (CI = 95%) for the anterior region, 1-2 (CI = 95%) for the internal jugular region, 6-8 (CI = 95%) for the lateral region, 3-4 (CI = 95%) for the submandibular region, and 1-2 (CI = 95%) for the submental region. The current study produced an average 840 cervical lymph nodes,
Discussion
According to published sources, treatments for head and neck cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation which in turn disrupt lymphatic structures that are highly concentrated in treated areas and damage surrounding soft tissues thereby increasing the risk for development of lymphedema (Dieng, Rider). Consequently, head and neck lymphedema has not been well studied or documented (Smith). Our research aims to contribute to the expansion of knowledge of lymph nodes in the cervical region, to provide an accurate average range of how many lymph nodes are included in the cervical lymph nodes, which can be the foundation for understanding the root cause for head and neck lymphedema arising after head and neck cancer treatment. Further knowing the number of lymph nodes in the cervical region can impact the need for treatment and possibly the success of the treatment.
Embargo Period
6-24-2024
Included in
Quantitative Analysis of Cadaveric Cervical Lymph nodes and the Relationship with Cervical Carcinoma Treatments
Suwanee, GA
Introduction
Head and Neck Lymphedema develops most commonly as a secondary effect of cancer and its treatment (Banjdar). The head and neck, or cervical, region contains an intricate network of over 300 lymph nodes and serves as a critical component of the body’s immune system (Peach). Head and cervical lymph nodes are often combined in a total number, therefore this study focused primarily on quantifying the ranges of lymph nodes that are specifically in the cervical region. Knowledge of the anatomic relationships of the lymphatic nodal levels and the structures they drain is critical in the delivery of appropriate therapy in many patients with cancers of the head and neck (Koroulakis). Knowing more precise ranges can assist in predicting the likelihood of developing lymphedema and the prognosis with therapy.
Methods
In the cadaver lab at PCOM Georgia, our team used human cadavers and dissected lymph nodes in the neck regions, specifically the anterior, lateral, submandibular, internal jugular, and supraclavicular regions of the neck. Data was collected from a total of 107 cadavers with 74 meeting set minimums per region over the course of three years (2020-2023) for this study. Quantitative analysis of the head and neck region lymph nodes was conducted on the collected data using standard statistical methods such as excel and JMP.
Results
Power analysis was performed to evaluate the sample size of the data and revealed a power of 57.93% for data regarding the anterior region, 95.40% for the internal jugular region, 99.6% for the lateral region, 99.3% for the submandibular region, and 85.50 % for the submental region. There was a mean total range of lymph nodes of 4-6 (CI = 95%) for the anterior region, 1-2 (CI = 95%) for the internal jugular region, 6-8 (CI = 95%) for the lateral region, 3-4 (CI = 95%) for the submandibular region, and 1-2 (CI = 95%) for the submental region. The current study produced an average 840 cervical lymph nodes,
Discussion
According to published sources, treatments for head and neck cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation which in turn disrupt lymphatic structures that are highly concentrated in treated areas and damage surrounding soft tissues thereby increasing the risk for development of lymphedema (Dieng, Rider). Consequently, head and neck lymphedema has not been well studied or documented (Smith). Our research aims to contribute to the expansion of knowledge of lymph nodes in the cervical region, to provide an accurate average range of how many lymph nodes are included in the cervical lymph nodes, which can be the foundation for understanding the root cause for head and neck lymphedema arising after head and neck cancer treatment. Further knowing the number of lymph nodes in the cervical region can impact the need for treatment and possibly the success of the treatment.
Comments
Winner of PCOM GA 2024 Best Cadaver/ Biomed Project award.