An Unusual Pattern of Burns Space Metastasis From Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated by Surgical Resection: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

The suprasternal space, termed Burns space, lies between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles. Although metastasis in this area frequently involves papillary thyroid carcinoma, it is rarely reported in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 79-year-old man who underwent a partial glossectomy for tongue cancer, followed by neck dissection and radiotherapy. One year posttreatment, the patient developed suprasternal (Burns space) lymph node metastasis accompanied by bone invasion of the sternum and clavicle. An en bloc resection, which included the sternoclavicular joint, was performed, followed by reconstruction with a pectoralis major flap.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of suprasternal lymph node metastasis with osseous extension from lingual cancer. A careful preoperative assessment of the suprasternal region is recommended, particularly in patients with a history of neck dissection (post-ND).